The mall is busier than usual today. Blaine watches as all the other people meander around him and Kurt. The people carrying full shopping bags, eating pretzels. The ones giggling with friends and the little ones, tagging unwillingly along with parents.

He knows that people are watching them. And yes, he'll admit it. A gay couple walking around in a mall, in Ohio. It's bizarre.

Blaine steals a glance at Kurt. He has that look on his face. The one that screams upset and frustrated. By now, Blaine knows it well.

Kurt is, in fact, very upset. He hates the looks the people give them. Why can't they just respect them? Why shouldn't he be able to hold hands with the person he loves in public without their stares? Why can't he just be… who he is?

Blaine rests his hand on Kurt's shoulder. Kurt shrugs it off.

"Come on," Blaine says. He knows that Kurt isn't going to like this. "Let's talk. Car. Now."

Blaine grabs his hand and pulls Kurt towards the exit. They get out of the mall and Blaine leads Kurt to the car. Kurt grudgingly plops himself down in the passenger seat and Blaine slides into the driver's side.

"Tell me what's wrong," Blaine says to Kurt gently. He turns so that he can see Kurt, who is staring out the front windshield, clearly.

"You know what's wrong."

"Kurt, prejudice is just ignorance. They just don't understand."

"Hell they don't. Nobody understands. Nobody. Not here, not at McKinley. Nobody, Blaine. And it isn't just right now. It's at school. Sometimes I wish I could just go back to Dalton, because I feel so alone. Not even my friends. Without you there with me… it's just horrible."

Blaine rests his hand on Kurt's shoulder. This time Kurt doesn't shrug it off.

"You aren't alone, Kurt. I know it feels that way, but Kurt, you aren't."

"It's just…" Kurt turns to look at Blaine, angrily swiping a tear away from his eye. "It's just so unfair."

"Kurt, it is unfair. I know. I understand."

There's a pause for a moment. Blaine looks into Kurt's eyes, and Kurt stares back.

"It doesn't matter, Kurt. It doesn't matter, because I love you. I love you." Blaine is careful to say the last sentence very slowly, and then leans in for a kiss.