One second he and Blaine were kissing and the next they were covered in ice cold slushie (grape, ugh) and some jock was calling them fags. The paparazzi were near the gate, clicking away at their cameras. Kurt watched in horror as Wes and David tackled the perpetrator to the ground.

Wes pulled out his phone and dialed 9-1-1 before Kurt could even blink.

He glanced around the parking lot. At least half the student body, including the members of New Directions, were standing around, watching. They looked horrified but most of the other students just looked curious, like they couldn't wait to see what would happen next.

Coach Sylvester arrived on the scene, demanding answers, which Wes started giving. She eyed him and Blaine, huddling together, wet and purple. "Take this idiot into the main office. The principal will wait with you until the police get here." She turned to Kurt. "Porcelain!"

"Coach," Kurt said, shivering as a piece of the purple ice dripped down his back.

"Take your teeny-bopper boyfriend and go home. We'll send the police along to take your statements later."

Kurt closed his eyes in relief. "Thanks, Coach." She stalked off toward the entrance and the paparazzi and Kurt took a moment to watch them scatter, thanking her again silently.

Kurt wrapped an arm around Blaine, who'd yet to say anything, and loaded him up into his Navigator. Thank goodness he was still keeping towels in his trunk, and he was able to spread them out over his seats to prevent any damage.

*

It was a quiet ride back to Kurt's house.

"Is it... always like that?" Blaine finally asked, having waited until they pulled into Kurt's driveway.

"Yes," Kurt said simply. It was a fact of life at McKinley High.

"That's terrible," Blaine replied. "And my eyes are burning."

"Yeah, that's the corn syrup," Kurt sighed, getting out of the SUV and heading for the door with Blaine on his heels. They stepped inside and Kurt dropped his bag. "Come on. I know just the thing to make this better."

*

And that was how Kurt found himself, for the very first time, taking a bath with another boy. The water was steaming hot (which Kurt could barely stand but Blaine seemed to love. He rationalized that at least the steam was good for his pores) and the two of them were squished awkwardly into the tub, but Kurt wouldn't change a thing. There wasn't anything sexual about the bath (well, not much, but Kurt was a teenage boy), though it served a dual purpose of comfort and getting clean. They took turns washing each other before just enjoying the cuddle time in the water.

When it started to cool, Kurt coaxed Blaine out of the tub and lead him to his room. They changed into comfy lounge clothes and then Kurt sat Blaine down at his vanity. He took care of Blaine's hair and then put eyedrops in Blaine's eyes to help with the stinging. Kurt figured himself lucky – the slushie had mostly just hit his back.

When he looked into Blaine's eyes, he saw tears forming there.

"What is it?" Kurt wanted to know, feeling a little panicked.

"You've spent all afternoon taking care of me," Blaine murmured, pulling Kurt close.

"Slushies can be traumatic," Kurt replied. "And I love you."

"I love you too," Blaine said. "That's why I'm so sad." Kurt gave him a confused look. "Who was here taking care of you every time this happened?"

Kurt's mouth fell open and then he just shrugged. "I can handle it, Blaine."

"You shouldn't have to, Kurt."

"I know," Kurt agreed softly. He ran hand through Blaine's curly hair, brushing it out of Blaine's face. "I know."