Chapter 1 - I Take Your Hand

It all started when Kurt was four years old. That's when he knew he was different. He didn't want to play in the mud or chase girls or anything of the sort. He wanted to play dress up and host tea parties with the other girls.

That was also the age when the hate from the rest of the world climbed into Kurt's life.

It was an average Tuesday at the Hummel household. Kurt's parents, Burt and Elizabeth, were out working and Kurt was at school. Burt owned a garage down the street and Elizabeth was a nurse at the children's hospital across town. Burt had just dropped Kurt off at the front gate of his school, kissed him goodbye and then drove off.

Kurt adjusted his pink bow tie and walked into the school grounds. Kurt was dressed in a bright yellow shirt that had been tucked in to his black dress pants. Attached to the pants were the clips of Kurt's purple suspenders and to top it off, he wore is stylish black rimmed glasses that magnified his big, innocent blue eyes and they sat perfectly on top of his button nose, of which he inherited from his father.

Kurt was walking into the classroom when he heard someone clawing after him.

"Hey Hummel? Why'da hafta wear all those faggy clothes. They look like something my Grandpa would wear." Dave Karofsky shouted.

Dave, David, Karofsky was a little older than Kurt but a hell of a lot bigger. He could quite possibly squish Kurt with his fingers. He always made Kurt feel bad about himself, and didn't fail this time.

Kurt looked at his clothes and started to tear up.

'Mommy and Daddy said they liked it.' Kurt thought. 'Did they lie to me?'

"Hey! Don't use that kind of language, young man!"

Kurt turned to see a man in his early 20's scolding the other boy. He was tall and black shaggy hair. His skin was pale, except around the neck where it was red. He had kind, green eyes that were framed by his black rimmed glasses, which Kurt always loved because they were just like his. The man was dressed in a simple blue shirt and dark blue jeans with green Converse sneakers.

"Sorry, Mr. Perry." Karosfky whispered and then ran off.

Mr. Perry sighed then moved towards Kurt. He reached out and rubbed his back.

"You okay, Kurt?" He asked, his green eyes were sympathetic and comforting.

"Yes." Kurt wiped away the tears that had somehow fallen from his eyes then smiled at the teacher.

Mr. Perry was, by far, Kurt's favorite teacher. He was funny and was one of the few teachers that genuinely cared for him. His smile was warm and infectious. He could also sing, which Kurt loved to do, even if his voice wasn't as good as his Mommy's, it was still nice.

"You sure?" Mr. Perry said, unsure.

Kurt nodded and smiled at him.

"Yep! I pwomise."

"Well then," Mr. Perry stood up and held out his hand for Kurt smile ping widely. "I think it's time for class."

Kurt squeaked in delight and grabbed the man's hand as he was lead to his classroom without any interruption this time.

During interval, Kurt was playing with his friend, Mercedes, when Karofsky came by and pushed Kurt over. Kurt fell and landed on his arm painfully. Then busted into tears.

"Hey! Why did you do that?" Mercedes demanded, rubbing Kurt's back in a soothing manner as he whimpered in pain.

"'Cause he's a fag, that's why!" Karofsky laughed then walked off.

"Oww! It hurts!" Kurt whined.

Just then, Mr. Perry had moved his way through the crowd that had suddenly surrounded the pair.

"Move! Move!" Mr. Perry squeezed pass all the children and dropped to his knees, looking at Kurt's arm which was purple and swollen.

"Oh jeez, no, no, no." Mr. Perry muttered to himself as he pulled out his phone and dialed 911.

"Yes? Hello? Yes, yes, um, I need an ambulance..." Mr. Perry talked me to the phone but Kurt dazed off, the pain I his arm was becoming too much and it was beginning to spread to his other arm.

A few moments later, Kurt found himself riding in an ambulance with Mr. Perry next to him, talking frantically into the phone again.

"Hello, Mr. Hummel?... Yes, it's Marcus... Ahh not quite... yes I'm with him right now... I'm sorry, he can't -... I know, sir... please just -... I'll see you there." Mr. Perry sighed and closed his phone.

'Marcus... that's his name... so pretty... just like him...' Kurt thought before passing out.

When he woke up, Kurt felt the urge to scratch his right arm but couldn't because a huge white cast was covering it. Kurt stared at it and screamed.

"Shh, Shh, it fine, baby, just relax." A soothing voice said towards his left.

"D-Daddy?" Kurt said, his voice scratchy and soft.

"Yeah honey it's me." Kurt felt Burt's fingers comb through his hair.

"Mommy?"

"She'll be here in a little bit, but hey! There's someone who wants to see you." Burt smiled at the door where Mr. Perry came rushing through.

"Kurt! Thank god," He moved to Kurt's other side and rested his head on Kurt's. "I'm so glad you're alright."

"Thank you, Marcus. I'm sorry about how I acted over the phone." Burt said sheepishly.

"It's fine, I know how protective you are over this little one." He ruffled Kurt's hair ignoring Kurt's protests.

They all chuckled.

Soon Elizabeth shot through the doors.

"Kurt! Oh Kurt, my sweet baby!" She sobbed into Burst shoulder.

"I'm okay, Mommy. Honest." Kurt said , smiling at her.

"I know baby, I was just worried that's all," She turned to face Mr. Perry. "Thank you Marcus. I can't think of any way to repay you."

"It fine." He waved the stood up. "I think it's about time I leave."

"Wha - No! Pwease don't go." Kurt pleaded, his big, blue, watery eyes boring up into his teachers eyes.

"Okay!" Mr. Perry said with a huge smile. "I didn't want to leave anyway!" As he sat back down next to Kurt.

The next few hours were completely fuzzy for Kurt but soon, he was able to go home. But not with Mr. Perry.

"Don't worry little man, I'll see you very soon." He flashed Kurt a smile before walking away from Burt's car.

As Kurt got buckled up, he started crying.

"Hey, hey, hey. What's this about, aye?" His dad said, wiping away one of his tears.

"C-Can you h-hold me, pwease?" Tears shining in his eyes and rolling down his cheek, how could Burt say no.

The rode back was very long and quiet. Kurt was perched on his father's lap and his mother was staring out at the road, her eyes hard and flaming with fire. Burt noticed it but luckily, Kurt was fast asleep.

"Liz –" Burt tried.

"We'll talk about it later, okay?" Her tone left no room for argument, so Burt left it alone. For now.

Once they were home, Burt tucked a Kurt in then headed down stairs to see his wife pacing.

"Liz, calm down."

"No Burt! I can't calm down! Someone hurt Kurt! Our baby!" Elizabeth shouted.

"But he's fine, Marcus found him and –" Burt tried again.

"Yes but what happens if Marcus didn't find him? What if Kurt got seriously hurt and Marcus was too late? Or worse, he was never found! Burt, this is a wake-up call! This is the start of Kurt's life! He's going to have to live through all this hate and I feel so selfish be-because I'm the one that wanted him here and – and – and –" She broke off into hysterical sobs.

Burt instantly wrapped his arms around his wife's shaking body.

"Shh, shh, you weren't the only one that wanted him here, okay? And stop thinking about what could've happened. Marcus did find him. He's perfectly fine and sleeping upstairs, okay love?" Burt said, brushing his lips over Elizabeth's. "It will get better."

It didn't.

The following week Kurt was back at school with a purple cast covering his right arm and a sad look on his face. He'd just found out that Karofsky wasn't getting any punishment for what he'd done. He remembered that day, very, very, clearly.

I was in the living room watching TV and playing with his power rangers when there was a knock on the front door. Daddy walked towards it and opened it. To my delight, it was Mr. Perry.

"Hey Marcus," Daddy shook Mr. Perry's hand and led him inside.

"Hey little man!" Mr. Perry said as I rushed over to him. He gave me a big hug, minding my injured arm. It felt the same way when Daddy hugged me. Soft, warm, nice.

He let go of me and then sat down next to my toys.

"Watcha doin'?" He asked.

"Pwaying wif my power wangers." I said picking up the pink one. It was always my favorite

"Oh cool! Can I play! Please?" His soft, warm, green eyes pouting at me. As if I could ever resist him.

"Sure!"

We played a bit. Mr. Perry was playing with the blue and green one while I was controlling the pink.

Soon after, Daddy came with two glasses of coffee. One for him. One for Mr. Perry. I don't like coffee, it's yucky.

"Cheers, Burt." Mr. Perry thanked before drinking but the quickly spat it back into the cup. "Hot! Hot, hot, hot!"

"Well, what did you expect, you idiot." Daddy chuckled as he blew on his drink before sipping.

"Shush, I'm not the smartest, you know that."

"Anyway, what brings you here, not that I mind, but..." Daddy trailed off.

"Yeah, Umm..." Mr. Perry looked nervous and place sped his drink of the coffee table. "I talked to the school board and I found out that..."

"Yes?" Daddy said, looking into his eyes.

Mr. Perry looked really uncomfortable and looked as if he was gonna cry. Or throw a fit. Or both.

"I found out what happened to Kurt and who did it –"

"Who the hell did it?" Daddy roared. I've never seen him this angry and I started to cry.

"Oh, no, no, baby. Please don't cry. Please don't cry." Daddy picked me up and placed me in his lap and rocked me back and forth.

"M'fine, Daddy." My voice was slightly muffled as my face was pressed into Daddy's shoulder.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry baby boy." Daddy continued rocking me as he kept talking to Mr. Perry.

"So, who did it?" Daddy asked, softer than before but there was still anger in his tone.

"A kid named David Karofsky, " I whimpered at the sound of his name.

"You know him, Kurt?" Mr. Perry asked, his voice was comforting and calm.

I nodded into Daddy's shirt.

"How?" He pressed, his tone still gentle.

"He pushes me wound and stuff." I sniffed.

"He what?" Daddy said in his big voice again. I shrunk back into his body and tried to hide my whimper.

"Shit, I'm sorry baby, I'm sorry." That was the first time I'd heard Daddy swear. I didn't like it.

"Anyway, I talked to the school board and they said that they couldn't do anything about it." Mr. Perry said, clenching his fists.

I felt Daddy tense.

"Kurt, baby, can you go to your room for a minute?" Daddy asked me gently.

My eyes filled with tears. "W-Why? I haven't been a bad boy. Why do I hafta go?" I whined, tears slipping down my face.

"Just please, baby?" Daddy begged. This was another thing I'd never seen him do. I don't like this either.

"Why?" I whined even louder.

"Because, baby, we adults need to talk and I do t want you to hear this. Please." He whispered. His forehead was pressed into mine and I stared into his eyes.

"Okay." I whispered ask ran off into my room.

I sat in my room and listened to Daddy's voice shout and Mr. Perry's voice trying to calm him down.

I started to cry. 'It was all because of me. If only I wasn't a fag, whatever that was, none of this would be happening.'

I wondered over to my crafting table and started making a card for Daddy. 'Yes, this is perfect!'

30 minutes later, I heard the door slam close and Daddy's footsteps coming closer.

"Hey, kid. You alright?" He walked over to me and sat me down on his lap.

"Has Mr. Pewrry gone?" I asked.

Daddy nodded and stroked my hair.

"But he did ask me to tell you bye."

"M'Kay." I started drifting asleep until I remembered the card. "Oh! Daddy! I made you somefing!"

"Lemme see!" I kept out of Daddy's arms and ran over to get the card I made.

It was covered in pink and green glitter but the words 'Sorry Daddy' were clearly visible along with a of Daddy, Mommy and me, I was in the middle. I handed it to him and his smiled.

"Wait." His smile dropped a bit. "Why does it say 'Sorry Daddy' on it?"

"'Cause, if I hadn't of been a fag, none of this woulda happened." I shrugged.

Daddy looked at me and tensed. Just like before.

"Where did you learn that word?" He asked softly.

"What won?" I tilted my head and looked at him. "Oh! Fag?"

"Yes." Daddy said through his clenched teeth.

"Kawofsky told me I was won. What does it mean, Daddy?"

"Kurt, I want you to listen carefully to me, okay?" I nodded. "Kurt, I don't want you to ever ay that word again. It's a very men word and is insulting to man people. If I hear that word come out of your mouth again, I'll be washing your mouth out with soap." His eyes were deadly serious and were looking straight into my eyes. "Got it?"

I nodded quickly.

"C'mere." He held out his arms and I jumped into his lap and wrapped my arms around him.

"Now," Daddy whispered into my hair. "As for the Karofsky thing just remember that he's wrong, okay? You are a star, you'll shine bigger and brigiter than all the other stars out there 'Kay?"

I nodded into his shirt and drifted off to sleep.

Kurt was shaken from thoughts when Mercedes came and hugged him.

"I'm so glad you're alright, boo. He shouldn't have done that to you." She squeezed him tight and walked with him to class.

"Hey, do we have music wif Mr. Pewrry today?" Kurt suddenly asked.

"Umm, I think so."

The pair kept talking up until the bell. They sat down and waited for the roll to be called. Once that was over, Mr. Perry popped into the class with a guitar I his left hand.

"Hey class! Let's get musical!" He pumped his hand in the air and smiled widely.

'His eyes crinkle when he smiles really big, I like it.' Kurt thought.

The class played games and sang along with Mr. Perry. Kurt was having the time of his live. But you know what they say, good things must come to an end.

At the end of the day there was an unexpected assembly.

Kurt and Mercedes sat together, wondering what was this all about.

"Good afternoon, school." Mrs. Welsh, the principal, greeted.

A chorus of 'good afternoon, Mrs. Welsh' echoed throughout the hall.

"I have gathered you all here so we can say a formal goodbye to one of our best teachers who will be leaving us to go teach in New Zealand. Mr. Marcus Perry, would you please come up."

Kurt sat there in shock as Mr. Perry walked up to the stage.

"On behalf of the school, I'd like to wish you all the best for the future and go wherever the world may take you." She shook Mr. Perry's hand and the whole school exploded into applause.

After the assembly, Kurt found himself outside waiting. He didn't know what he was waiting for, but it was something.

"Hey little man." Kurt turned around and saw Mr. Perry standing there with tears in his eyes.

Kurt ran and jumped into his arms. They held each other for a moment before Kurt broke down into tears.

"Shh, shh, it does gonna be okay, shh, shh." Mr. Perry rubbed his back and cried into the little boys shoulder.

"Pwease, pwease don't go!" He looked up at his teacher with big, wet eyes and big wet eyes were staring back at him.

"I'm sorry, buddy. I have to." Mr. Perry kissed Kurt's cheek.

'Why does that feel so much better than Mommy's or Daddy's kisses?' Kurt thought as his cheek tingled from the kiss while he has placed back down on the ground.

"Hey Kurt, sorry I'm – What's goin' on here?" Burt asked, confused by the tears of both faces.

"Daddy! Mr. Pewrry's weaving! Make him stay!" Kurt whined and smashed himself into Burt's leg.

"What?" Burt said bewildered as he picked Kurt up and balanced him on his hip.

"I'm, uhh, moving back to New Zealand and I'm gonna teach over there for a while." Mr. Perry said, wipping his tears away.

"Well... I can't say I'm happy that you're leaving but if it's what you wanna do, I wish you good luck." Burt stuck out his hand for Mr. Perry to shake but the other man dove in for a hug.

"No!" A voice squeaked from besided them.

Kurt managed to wiggle out of Burt's grasp and ran away, crying.

Both men sighed.

"I'll go get him." Mr. Perry said, chasing the small boy.

Kurt had ran down to an old willow tree that was around the back of the school. No one went there and it was Kurt's safe haven.

It took Mr. Perry five minutes to find the small boy sitting by the old willow, crying softly. He quietly moved towards him and sat him down in his lap despite Kurt's protesting against him.

Kurt wriggled and tried to squirm away from the teacher but he was having none of that.

"Now you stay still, young man." Mr. Perry said sternly.

Kurt froze then sank into the embrace.

"Now, this is gonna be hard for both of us but this is how it's gonna be, okay?"

"No! I don't wanna wiv wif it!"

"Why not?" The teacher questioned.

"'Cause no one cares about me here!" Kurt shouted, his little chest heaving,

"Is this about Karofsky?" Mr. Perry said softly.

"Uh huh."

"Okay Kurt, I want you to listen to me, alright?"

Kurt nodded.

"Courage is the one thing no one can ever take away from you."

'Courage is the one thing no one can ever take away from you.'

Those words stuck by Kurt throughout his entire life. Through his mother's death, coming out to his dad and all other problems in between. He never forgot that moment and he never forgot the man that told him those words.

But throughout the years, Kurt lost more and more hope that he'd ever see him again, that was until one day.