Kurt had given Blaine his cell phone number and vice-versa Blaine could talk to Kurt if anything happened and he needed someone to speak to. Blaine was glad of this because he had loved talking to Kurt in the Dalton cafeteria and they had meshed so well. Blaine guessed this was because they had so much in common in their turbulent school histories. But there was also something about the confidence Kurt radiated that enchanted Blaine.
Oh.

Blaine recognised this feeling. He had developed a crush on Finn Hudson in their Sophomore year and that had ended embarrassingly when he had been a little too forward with his interests but thankfully Mercedes had taken mercy on Blaine and talked to Finn and, well, apologised on his behalf and things had smoothed out. In fact Finn had practically thanked Blaine for being a stronger and better singer than him because it meant Finn had to sing less solos and spotlight duets. Finn had fessed up that yes he loved to sing, but he preferred casual singing in Glee Club than competition performances, Finn wasn’t a fan of theatricality.

No.

Blaine pushed these thoughts from his mind. He wouldn’t think about Kurt like that. He would end up broken hearted all over again and he wasn’t going to let that happen. He had just one more year of school left after this and he wasn’t going to let himself be distracted. He wouldn’t let himself get heartbroken again.

Blaine walked down the hallway, he had a free period and people were running off to get to their next class on time before the tardy bell rang but Blaine was walking slowly as he pulled out his cell phone which had just vibrated.

One new message
From: Kurt
“Courage”

Two jocks bumped into him, probably on purpose. then there was a more forceful push and he was slammed into the lockers.

“Watch where you’re going, fag” Blaine flinched at the slur; it reminded him of his father.

“So you’re telling me my son is a good for nothing fag?” Richard Anderson had screamed at his son, as Blaine stood in front of him quivering, wanting nothing more than to curl up in a ball and cry.

Blaine stood up and marched after Dave Karofsky “what the hell is your problem?” Blaine shouted after him down the empty corridor.

“Are you talking back to me hobbit?” the jock shouted in Blaine’s face. Blaine had never retaliated before and it looks like he shocked Dave.

“What’s my problem? You’re the one with the problem! No matter what you say, no matter how hard you slam me into lockers, or how many times you throw me into dumpsters it’s not going to chance who I am!” Blaine shouted back, unable to control the anger flooding out of him now that it had begun to do so.

The years of pent up frustration from years of constant bullying, from both jocks and his father alike, flowed out of Blaine, his sight covered with a red haze of anger.
And then Karofsky did the one this Blaine never in a million years expected him to do.

He kissed the shorter boy full on the mouth.
Strength Blaine never knew he had pushed Karofsky away and he took off down the corridor, running at full belt until he was out of the school and in his often used hiding place, under the bleachers.

Blaine didn’t know how long he sat there and cried, he sat with his legs pulled up to his chest, arms wrapped so tightly around his knees his knuckles went white.
That was the first time Blaine called Kurt, he waited patiently as the phone rang. Six long rings later and the boy with the angel voice finally answered.

“Blaine?” Kurt asked, of course he knew it was Blaine, but he was worried, Blaine could hear it in Kurt's tone. It was less like the happy and confident Kurt he had met at Dalton, more like the version of himself that had watched Cooper stand up to their father.

Blaine shook his head “Concentrate, Blaine.”

“Blaine?” Kurt repeated again, a little more fear edging into his voice.

“It’s Karofsky.” Blaine finally vocalised in a voice that was little more than a whisper.

“What did he do Blaine?” Kurt asked, his voice shaper now, more high pitched, almost angry.

“He kissed me Kurt” Blaine breathed, quietly, solemnly.