“Hey Dad” called Kurt cheerfully as he entered the house.

Kurt set his keys down on the mahogany entry table, toed off his ankle boots, shrugged off his Gucci trench coat and walked down the cream hallway towards the kitchen.

“Hey, kiddo” Burt said, emerging from the living room “someone sounds cheerful! What happened?”

How was Kurt going to tell him? Burt hated Blaine for what he’d done to Kurt; he’d made that clear…

Kurt inhaled sharply. “Okay, don’t be mad, or worried but… I spoke to Blaine today.” Kurt replied cautiously, saying Blaine’s name slowly so as not to provoke his dad.

“And that made you happy?” Burt asked disbelievingly, with a puzzled look on his face. He wasn’t angry; this confused Kurt, Burt loathed the boy didn’t he? “After what he did?”

“Well, we talked about that and I heard his side of everything. Before, I didn’t stay long enough to hear his side of the story, the texts, and the kiss. I just thought that he was cheating on me, but he wasn’t. It was all Sebastar- Sebastian’s fault.” He’d forgotten he was talking to his dad and almost let slip the nickname.

“And he told me what happened afterwards… he punched Sebastian, Dad. He told me how sorry he was, and…” Kurt continued “Dad, I was too rash with my decision. I still love him, I’ve missed him. I’m giving him a second chance.”

“Okay kiddo, it’s nice to see you happy after these past few weeks, I’ve been worried about you.” Burt said, while walking over and pulling Kurt into a tight hug. “Being holed down in your room, you haven’t been talking or eating much… I’m glad you talked to Blaine”

Okay, his dad was being far too nice about this; a few weeks ago he wanted to go after Blaine with a shotgun.

“Dad? I thought you hated Blaine, when we broke up you wanted to go after him...” said Kurt nervously.

“Oh yeah, well, I’ve always liked Blaine, but he broke you and I hated him for that. But if I’m honest, I’ve missed having him around…you know, and he makes you happy, Kurt. And I want you to be happy.”

“Oh, yeah he does make me happy, I’ve missed him too… so much.” said Kurt falling back into his Dad’s embrace, as Burt rubbed his back. “We’re starting again; we are going to dinner on Friday night, our second first date…”

“I know, Kurt, I know, and that’s great.” said Burt into Kurt's hair. “Hey bud, what do you want for dinner? It’s your pick. Finn and Carole are staying at theirs tonight, so it’s just us…”

“Well, there’s this pasta recipe that ive been dying to try from the new ‘Marie Claire’… and there’s a great souffl� too, I’ll cook.” said Kurt, smiling.

He loved cooking and baking. He hadn’t done much since the break-up; he hadn’t felt like it. He put his spirit in to his cooking: it was one of the many things he was good at, and his cranberry and white chocolate cookies were the best cookies ever. Everyone in glee club loved them, including Blaine.

“It’s nice to see you wanting to cook again, Kurt. I’ll pop to the shops if there’s anything that you need.” Burt added, trudging back into the living room to finish watching ‘Deadliest Catch’.

“Thank you Dad, but I think we have everything anyway.” Kurt smiled as he walked in to the white kitchen.

The sunlight streamed in through the patio door, skimming over the granite worktop. Kurt removed his deep blue Alexander McQueen sweater, there was no way he was spilling tomato juice on it. It was his favourite sweater. He picked up his vinyl apron and tied the ribbon around his waist, as he flicked through this month’s issue of Marie Claire, which he’d left in the kitchen this morning after reading with his breakfast. He skimmed the list of ingredients and began preparing them. As he did so his mind flicked back to when he went ‘spying’ on the warblers… the day he first met Blaine.

***
Kurt was having a rough week, Karofsky had started going out of his way to push Kurt in to lockers or to slushie him, and he was tired of it. It was also mash-up week, boy vs. girls, he’d tried lecturing the boys on how to fulfil the assignment but they just weren’t interested. So he did as Puck suggested, and went to ‘spy’ on the warblers. Really, he was just interested in the school: it was an all-boys school; maybe he’d fit in better there?

“Excuse me… erm hi, can I ask you a question, I’m-I’m new here?” said Kurt nervously, as a kind looking shorter boy passed him on the staircase.

“My name’s Blaine.” said the shorter dark haired boy. He had beautiful amber eyes: Kurt fell almost instantly.

“Kurt! Err so what exactly is going on?” Looking around at the sea of blazer rushing down the stairs, they all seemed to be heading to the same place.

“The Warblers! Every now and then they throw an impromptu performance in the senior commons. It tends to shut the school for a while” Blaine answered, with a small laugh.

“So wait, the glee club here is kind of cool?” said Kurt disbelievingly, he was starting to like Dalton already, and Blaine being there made it all the more desirable. He just hoped that Blaine was gay.

“The Warblers are like rock stars! Come on, I know a short cut…” said Blaine taking Kurt’s hand, Kurt's pulse quickened as Blaine dragged him off down a corridor. This feels nice Kurt thought.

As they entered the senior commons, Kurt took a deep breath in at the sight of all the Dalton students in their blazers: damn he should have spent longer on his ‘uniform’.

“Oh, I stick out like a sore thumb!” said Kurt worried that he was going to get found out.

“Well next time don’t forget your jacket new kid. You’ll fit right in!” said Blaine with a wink, telling Kurt that he knew, oh no, I’ve been found out after this they’ll beat me up won’t they? . “Now, if you’ll excuse me…” he continued as the Warblers started harmonizing.

Blaine walked towards the group of Warblers and began to sing. He had the most amazing voice Kurt thought, he saw Blaine’s eye fixed on him, those beautiful amber eyes, staring at him, he felt like they were reading him. Blaine’s dancing rivalled only that of Finn’s, it made Kurt smile.

After the dreamiest ever performance, Blaine dragged two blazer clad boys over to Kurt. “Guys this is Kurt. Want to go grab a coffee with us?”

“S-sure” said Kurt nervously, here it was they were going to beat him up.

“Latte?” said Blaine pushing a coffee cup towards him, as Kurt mouthed thank you. “This Wes and David.”

“It’s very civilized of you to invite me for coffee before you beat me up…” said Kurt weakly; he was terrified - it was three against one!

“We are not going to beat you up!” stated Wes.

“You were such a terrible spy, we thought sort of… endearing.” said David smiling brightly.

“Which made me think that spying on us wasn’t really the reason you came…?” Blaine offered there was another reason he came, but his original intentions we to spy.

“Can I ask you guys a question? Are you guys all gay?” said Kurt, quietly. This was his secret way to find out Blaine's situation.

The trio laughed.

“No,” answered Blaine. “I mean, I am but these guys have girlfriends.” He pointed to his friends.

Kurt was happy that Blaine was but he didn’t revel in that small victory for long, because he remembered one of the reasons he came here… Karofsky.

“This is not a gay school: we just have a zero tolerance bullying policy” David informed Kurt.

“Everybody gets treated the same no matter what they are” said Wes.

Kurt’s face fell at this and his eyes begin to sting. He wished McKinley had a policy like that; he’d be so much happier without the constant fear.

“Could you guys excuse us?” asked Blaine

“Take it easy Kurt.” Wes added, as he and David left the two boys alone to talk.

Kurt took several sharp deep breaths, in attempts to hold back his tears; he didn’t want the other boy to see him cry. Blaine seemed so strong and proud - Kurt didn’t want to seem weak.

“I take it you’re having trouble at school?” Blaine suggested.

“I’m… the only person out of the closet at my school” Kurt began, trying not to cry “and I- I try to stay strong about it but there’s this Neanderthal who’s made it his mission to make my life a living hell and nobody seems to notice.”

“I know how you feel” said Blaine “I got taunted at my old school and it- it really…pissed me off I even complained about it to the faculty, they were sympathetic and all, but you could just tell that nobody really cared. It was like: ‘hey, if you’re gay, your life’s just going to be miserable, sorry. Nothing we can do about it.’” Blaine paused. Kurt took in what Blaine was saying, Blaine had been bullied too. He sympathised with Kurt.

“So I left, and came here; simple as that. So you have two options: I mean, I’d love to tell to just come and enrol here” Blaine continued “but tuition at Dalton’s a bit steep, and I- I know that’s not for everyone. Or” he added “you could refuse to be the victim.”

Kurt was confused. ‘Refuse to be the victim’? How did he do that?

Blaine continued: “Prejudice is just ignorance… Kurt, and you have chance to teach him.”

“How?” Kurt demanded his eyes itched.

“Confront him. Call him out.” Blaine urged. Leaning closer to Kurt - so close Kurt had to stop himself from leaning in and just kissing those perfect pink lips. “I ran… Kurt.” Blaine admitted “I didn’t stand up. I let bullies chase me away, and it is something that I really, really regret.”

“Thank you, Blaine… Hey, could we maybe… exchange numbers?” asked Kurt hesitantly, he’d love to be in contact with Blaine: Kurt really liked Blaine.

“Yeah that would be nice, I can’t really talk to Wes and David about how cute Tom Felton is.” giggled Blaine, blushing slightly Kurt loved the way it crept down his neck; Kurt felt his own cheeks burning.

***
Kurt always looked back on that moment and smiled. Blaine was so nerdy and cute that day, but Kurt loved it. He’d finished making the pasta sauce and he was waiting for the white chocolate souffl� to rise.

He really loved Blaine; he always had and probably always will. He’d already started planning his outfit for Friday, he was going to wear his, and Blaine's, favourite black skinny jeans, a white shirt, a grey waist coat and the checked bowtie Blaine had given him. After he’d finished planning he’d remembered his promise to Rachel… he quickly dialled her number.

“Hey Rach” said Kurt.

“Hey! So how’d it go with Blaine?” asked Rachel.

“Well, we talked a little and we having a fresh start, I’m not going to forget the kiss happened because it did but we are back together and starting again.”

“That’s great Kurt!” Rachel exclaimed “I’m glad he makes you happy, it’s been awful these past few weeks… I hate seeing you upset, you know.”

“Yeah I know Rach. But he did break my heart, I think I had a right to be a bit sad…” retorted Kurt. He had been heartbroken all week; he’d never thought Blaine would kiss someone else ever.

“Yeah, honey, I understand. So what’s happening with you guys then?” asked Rachel, curiosity evident in her voice.

“We’re going on our second first date on Friday. He’s going to have to earn my trust again, and it’s going to take a while for me to forgive him.” said Kurt as he pulled the fully risen souffl� out of the oven. “I’m sorry Rach I have to go, dinner is ready… Talk to you in homeroom tomorrow…bye”

“Bye…I’m glad you’re cooking again too. Love you; talk tomorrow!”

“Love you too, Rach.” he said before hanging up the phone.

He was glad too: cooking helped him get his thoughts straight, provided his body with something to do whilst his mind wondered. After tea he was going to bake some of his specialist cookies

“Dad! Dinner!” called Kurt.