"Blaine," Jason called, seeing the curly haired tenor at the end of the hall.

Blaine turned a lifted a hand in greeting. His smile faded at the look on Jason and Puck's faces. "Uh, what's up guys?" Too late he realized they had backed him into a corner.

Both men, taller and towering easily over Blaine, stepped into him until all three of them were toe to toe.

"I don't know what your fucking problem is with Kurt, but you will leave him alone. Is that understood?" Jason said, his eyes spitting fire.

"Kurt is our boy now, we protect him, we back him up. If you continue giving him problems, we will become your problem, got it?" Puck growled, getting right in his face.

Blaine knew he could hold his own in a fight, but he knew he deserved this. "Yeah, I got it," he mumbled.

"Good deal," Jason said, giving him a grim smile. "It's too bad, too, Kurt's a really great guy. You would have been lucky to have him as a friend."

Jason and Puck turned and walked away, leaving a thoughtful Blaine behind. That afternoon, Puck just happened to stop by as Kurt was getting ready for Warbler practice. Giving Jason a grateful smile, Kurt straightened his sweater and hurried after Puck.

As they assembled, Puck stayed by Kurt's side, and though he didn't make it look obvious, Kurt could still tell. The other new singer who had auditioned the day before came up and introduced himself to Kurt.

"I'm Colton Evans," the new baritone said. He was the smallest guy on the team by far. He could have only been 5'6", maybe. He had lovely strawberry blonde hair that was more strawberry. It was a lovely color that Kurt knew many women paid top dollar to achieve from a bottle. His eyes were a crystal blue, and filled with friendliness.

"Kurt Hummel. I liked your audition piece," he replied, shaking the smaller man's hand with a smile.

Colton blushed at the compliment. "I loved yours, too. I've never heard a voice like yours before," he stammered shyly.

"Unless it was on a girl," Blaine said snarkily as he walked by. Puck stood and walked after him, looking like he was going to threaten or even hurt Blaine. Kurt was fine with that. He was beyond appreciative of Puck and Jason looking out for him. He'd never had that before.

"Even girls don't sound like you," Colton said, his crystal eyes shooting daggers in Blaine's direction.

Kurt glanced at him curiously. He wondered if Colton had had a run in with Blaine's insults. It wouldn't surprise him in the least. Poor kid.

"Hey, do you want to sit with me?" Kurt invited.

Colton's smiled ear to ear. "Yes, thank you. It's hard being new around here. It's so intimidating, but I'm so glad to be here."

"Same here. It was worth the weeks of nerves leading up to the audition. But we're here now. So are you excited to perform?" Kurt asked.

"Yeah. I want to hurry up and get it out of the way, so if they're taking volunteers, I'll be up there. I don't think I could live through an entire week just waiting for my turn," Colton said, looking pale.

Kurt patted his knee. "You'll be fine. We both will. I'll be up there today too, if I get the chance."

Colton's face flooded with color. Kurt felt for him. They both had complexions that showed their every emotion.

Wes called the room to order. He really seemed to enjoy using that gavel of his. It brought everyone's attention to him, that was for certain. He announced that the order people would perform in was chosen randomly. Reading out the list of ten singers that would perform that day, Kurt was relieved to hear his name. As the last name was read, he heard Colton sigh in relief. Both of them would be able to get their performances done today. He refused to acknowledge Blaine would be singing two people ahead of him. These performances were supposed to have some sort of emotional meaning and he doubted Blaine had an emotional bone in his body.

Over the first three performances, Kurt found that the Warbler's were a loving group who treasured their family and friends. He wasn't the only one to surreptitiously wipe tears from his cheeks. A glance to where Blaine was sitting showed he was at least being respectful, if not moved.

"Blaine, you're up," Wes said. "Just like the others, name your song and tell us the meaning of it in your life."

Blaine walked up to the front of the room. Kurt saw him actually wipe his hands on his jeans as if he was nervous. The king asshole nervous? There had to be something else behind it.

"So, uh, I usually don't take these assignments of Wes's too seriously. No offense, Wes," he said, giving the other man an apologetic smile. "But I did with this one. It's called 'He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother'. We all know I don't have any brothers, not in the blood sense, anyway. But, um," Blaine coughed and Kurt could swear his golden eyes were shining with suppressed emotion. "When I first came to Dalton, I was a mess. I don't know if many of you knew this, but I was into drugs and drinking just to get through each day. After I joined the Warbler's, you guys, uh, you guys became my family." He ran his fingers through his curls, looking uncomfortable but determined. "You're acceptance and openness and true friendship changed who I was. Now you get the charming, loving guy you see standing before you," he said with a cocky grin as everyone laughed. Someone yelled some other choice names and Blaine just smiled and nodded. "That too. So, this song is for you guys. My brothers." He looked down as his music started.

Kurt's eyes were already tearing up. He couldn't believe those words had just come from this guy's mouth. He seemed like he'd always had it together, but maybe there was a human under there after all.

The road is long

With many a winding turn

That leads us to who knows where

Who knows when

But I'm strong

Strong enough to carry him

He ain't heavy, he's my brother

So, on we go

His welfare is of my concern

No burden is he to bear

We'll get there

For I know

He would not encumber me

He ain't heavy, he's my brother

If I'm laden at all

I'm laden with sadness

That everyone's heart

Isn't filled with the gladness

Of love for one another

It's a long, long road

From which there is no return

While we're on the way to there

Why not share

And the load

Doesn't weigh me down at all

He ain't heavy, he's my brother

He's my brother

He ain't heavy, he's my brother...

The room was filled with genuine applause. Blaine's performance had moved everyone there and several members walked up to give him handshakes and hugs. Kurt was gazing at him, thoroughly impressed. Trent was leaning over to hug him and Blaine met his eyes over the Warbler's shoulder. The smile he gave Kurt looked truly genuine. Kurt smiled back, willing to give as good as he got.

Several performances later, it was Kurt's turn. He took a deep breath, appreciating the encouraging pats on his back from Puck and Colton, and went to the front.

"My name is Kurt, for those of you who don't remember. My song is 'I Want To Hold Your Hand'. When I was eight, my mom died," he began, seeing several members gasp. "She had cancer and went pretty quickly. But when they were lowering her body into the ground, I remembered I needed something from my dad. A word, something, to let me know that my whole world wasn't falling apart. I looked up and all he did was take my hand. Seeing that strong hand holding mine let me know that I wasn't alone in the world. When I was sixteen, my father died from a heart attack," he said, unable to hold back the tears that had built up. He stared at the floor and had to get it out. "Dad always supported my desire to come to school in New York. I think he'd be pretty proud of me. I miss him every minute of every day. He was my best friend," Kurt said, a smile curving his lips as he looked out at the sympathetic eyes. Colton was crying, Puck patting his back. Even Blaine looked like he was in shock. "Anyway. Whenever I sing this song, it reminds of my mom and dad. This is for them."

Oh yeah, I'll tell you something

I think you'll understand

When I'll say that something

I wanna hold your hand

I wanna hold your hand

I wanna hold your hand

Oh please, say to me

You'll let me be your man

And please, say to me

You'll let me hold your hand

Now let me hold your hand

I wanna hold your hand

And when I touch you I feel happy inside

It's such a feeling that my love

I can't hide

I can't hide

I can't hide

Yeah, you've got that something

I think you'll understand

When I'll say that something

I wanna hold your hand

I wanna hold your hand

I wanna hold your hand

I wanna hold your hand

He ended the song, not bothering to try and be strong. He let the tears fall, not caring what people thought. The next thing he felt were several hands on him, his back, shoulders, waist. Looking up, he saw he was surrounded by all of the Warbler's. He smiled wobbly at them. Feeling a hand rubbing at his waist, he looked over and his gaze was caught by the golden eyes of Blaine. He gave Kurt a truly sympathetic smile, patted his waist, where his hand had been resting, and walked back to his seat. Kurt exchanged hugs with several others, Puck and Colton included. Then Wes called them to order and went on with the performances. Kurt felt drained from the song, but happy too. He felt accepted into the fold of the Warbler's. It felt safe and that was something Kurt hadn't felt since his dad had last held his hand.

. . . . .

Warbler's were still wandering around, hanging out after practice. Kurt had talked to the other singers, congratulating them on their performances. It was a good opportunity to get to know the others, hoping he would make some friends.

Colton asked him if he wanted to get a cup of coffee and he agreed. Puck told him to call Jason if he had any problems. Kurt thanked him again and went to the café. Getting his regular non-fat double mocha, he and Colton sat in a corner near the windows. They talked about their childhoods. Colton had both parents who were still married. He'd had a near picture-perfect childhood. He told Kurt his performance made him appreciate his folks even more.

"Did your dad know you're gay?" Colton asked, sipping his tea.

Kurt didn't even question how he knew. His own gaydar had gone off when he'd first met the small redhead. "He did. He says Mom suspected from the time I was three. Apparently all I wanted for Christmas was a pair of sensible heels," he said and they both chuckled. "He was really great about it. I know he wished I had been different just so I didn't have to deal with the bullying, but I think that's just part of being gay these days."

Colton shook his head. "No, it's not. At least not where I grew up. In Seattle, everyone accepted me. There was a ton of kids out of the closet in my high school. It wasn't a big deal. If you were bi or gay, it was just as accepted as being a geek or jock."

Kurt knew his jaw was hanging open.

Colton colored again. "I'm sorry. I hope I don't sound like I'm bragging. I'm really not. But I wanted you to know that prejudice isn't a national problem. I think growing up in the Midwest had to be the absolute worst place to be gay."

"It wasn't pleasant, that's for sure," Kurt said lightly. He knew he had to change the subject if he wanted to continue liking Colton. Knowing someone like him had grown up with both parents and a community that accepted him made him want to hate the guy, irrational as that may be. "So what do you like to do for fun?"

They discussed music and clothes and the couple of sports teams that Colton liked. Colton looked out the window and his eyes went wide.

"Crap, what is that guy's problem?" he asked, his face pale.

Kurt looked and saw the back of Blaine's curly head disappearing around the corner. "He's just an asshole. Don't let him get to you. He's been giving me crap since I met him. I figured he hated gays until I realized he is gay," Kurt mused.

"That guy is gay?" Colton asked, incredulous.

"As a two dollar bill," Kurt said, smiling at the shock on the other man's face. "Just keep your distance. He should leave you alone. If he doesn't, let me know. My roommate has taken a dislike to Blaine since he started giving me a hard time." At Colton's questioning look, Kurt grinned. "My roommate is six foot five inches. Very intimidating if he wanted to be. Though he's really just a teddy bear."

. . . . .

"Holy shit, Anderson, what is your problem?" Darik shouted, holding his nose. "We never go for the face, you know that."

"Go whine to someone who gives a shit," Blaine growled, ripping his boxing gloves off and beginning to unwrap his hands. He'd just spent the last hour pummeling anyone who would take him on in the ring and he was still filled with rage. A couple of the guys had collapsed and been drug out by fellow members of their Fight Club.

"Keep this up and you'll be out of the club. I know you've been warned before," Darik said, sopping up the blood running down his face. "I think you broke my fucking nose," he muttered, heading off to the locker room.

Blaine sighed, knowing he'd gone too far. Damn his temper! He had to keep it in check or he'd lose this outlet and he knew he needed it. Beating the crap out of others and getting his own ass kicked was a stress reliever he couldn't give up. Moving to the heavy bag, he began throwing punches at it, timing the swing of the bag with his body weaving. Each punch landed with a solid thud and the sound and answering pain in his ungloved hands was comforting to him.

Finally, knowing he'd have the shower to himself, he went into the locker room. He didn't want to listen to Darik whine anymore. He didn't even know why the guy had crawled in the ring with him. He'd gotten his ass kicked by everyone in the club and had still volunteered to go at it with Blaine, who was known to be one of the toughest.

Stripping and stepping under the hot blast of the shower, he leaned his hands against the tile. The water beating down on his shoulders was soothing and he relaxed into it as much as he could. What had set him off? He'd done fine through the Warbler's practice. His performance had gone off without a hitch and his teammates had gotten the message that he cared. He'd joined in the love fest for the princess after he sang. Truly feeling sorry for the guy had surprised Blaine, but at least he had his parents, whether they gave a shit or not. The princess had lost both of his parents who had actually seemed to like him. Thinking of Kurt's pale face, he made the connection. The princess and that little redhead in the café. Maybe the new kid had looked at him funny? It wasn't true, not if he was going to be honest with himself. It had bothered him to see the princess laughing it up with another guy. Though why it bugged him, he couldn't figure out.

Finally getting dressed, he headed toward the dorms. Coming around a corner, he ran smack into Kurt. They backed away, staring at each other. Blaine was freaked out, having just been thinking about the thin man. Kurt was worried, being alone with a bully was never good. Seeing Blaine walk back toward him made him cringe down and close his eyes. A hand on his chin and a warm pair of lips against his shocked him into opening his eyes. Warm golden eyes met his surprised blue gaze. The kiss was short but gentle and sweet. Kurt was still staring at him in shock as Blaine backed away.

"Great job today, Kurt," he said softly and continued on his way.

Kurt stood there for a long time, gently touching his mouth. It didn't occur to him until he was in bed that night that that was the first time Blaine had said his name. As sleep took him over, he smiled.