The News

It starts out like any normal day. Kurt and Blaine are the first ones to enter the choir room, their hands as close as they can get without actually touching and it isn’t until they are safely seated that Blaine reaches over, lacing their fingers together.

The others slowly file in, talking and laughing, but he and Kurt are quiet. Kurt’s kind of worried about Blaine after the song he'd sung the day before. It had been incredibly intense and Blaine was clearly feeling more than he let on. Everyone settles down and waits as Mr. Schue walks in. Kurt is surprised when he sits down in a chair in front of them instead of heading to white board to work out remaining details for Regionals the coming weekend.

“I have some upsetting news,” he starts, and Kurt doesn’t know why he knows, but he knows this is bad. It’s very, very bad. “Principal Figgins got word this morning that Dave Karofsky is in the hospital.”

A murmur goes around the room as if they aren’t exactly sure why Mr. Schue is announcing this. The bad feeling in Kurt’s stomach intensifies and he clenches Blaine’s hand in his. “Some very personal and private things in Dave's life were made public,” Mr. Schue begins and then pauses. Kurt holds is breath. “They defaced his locker, posted horrible things about him on Facebook… and Dave…” he pauses again. “Dave tried to take his own life.”

Kurt can't believe what he's hearing. He just saw Karofsky last week. Sure, Dave had been upset when Kurt had turned him down, but... then Kurt remembers that kid sitting at one of the tables, finishing up what looked like an early dinner while members of Breadstix worked to transform the restaurant into the “Sugar Shack.” He pulls his phone out his pocket and opens his internet app. Within moments, he's got Karofsky's Facebook page and it's like a nightmare.

There are horrible, vicious words on display for the whole world to read. Kurt lets out a cry of anguish without realizing it. Mr. Schue stops in the middle of his sentence, where he'd been explaining the options open to the students if they felt like they needed to talk to someone. Everyone in the classroom is staring him, but Kurt can only think one thing.

It's all my fault.

Blaine pries the phone out of his hands and Santana takes it from Blaine, glancing at the screen before making a distressed sound and then handing it back.

“It's horrible,” Kurt whispers. “How could they do that to him?”

“I don't know,” Blaine murmurs. The room spins for a moment, and Kurt sucks in much needed air. He can feel wetness on his cheeks and realizes he's crying.

“Karofsky's gay?” Kurt whips his head around to stare at Puck, who's on his phone now. The others are slowly following suit, and Kurt doesn't know what to think about this. For so long he's been one of only four people who knew the truth.

Now everyone knows. “I don't get it,” Finn speaks up. Kurt looks at his brother. “Why would he do all that stuff to Kurt if he's gay?”

“It's complicated,” Kurt manages, finding his voice. He meets Mr. Schue's gaze. “How did this get out?” he asks.

Mr. Schue sighs. “According to Dave’s father, one of his classmates saw you two together at Breadstix on Valentine’s Day.” Kurt chokes on a sob, because he was right. He feels himself crumple to the ground, but Blaine is there holding him tightly. Blaine knows all about Karofsky being his secret admirer – Kurt had told him after Sugar’s party that night. Blaine’s murmuring his ear, but Kurt can’t listen.

Nothing’s okay right now.


The Plan

It’s Friday night when Kurt decides he can’t take it anymore. It’s been over a week since Dave tried to kill himself, it’s been almost a week since New Directions won Regionals, and it’s been three days since Quinn woke up from her medically induced coma – a result of her near fatal car accident.

He’s texted with Dave a few times, sent Quinn a care package, and generally felt miserable the last week or so. Blaine’s lounging on his bed, flipping through a back issue of Vogue, and Kurt finds himself staring off into the distance, though he’s supposed to be finishing his moisturizing routine.

“Kurt?” Blaine asks, getting his attention. “Are you okay?”

Kurt shakes his head. “I still feel guilty about Karofsky.”

“Kurt, we talked about that. You’re not responsible for what he did.” Blaine shifts on the bed so he's sitting up, putting the magazine down.

“Blaine, he called me nine times and I didn't answer,” Kurt says, his voice sounding strained. “I could have done something.” He sighs. “And Quinn, I mean – I barely said two words to her last week after our fight.”

“She'll forgive you, Kurt,” Blaine insists. Kurt's not so sure because no one but immediate family is allowed to see Quinn right now and there's no way for him to talk to her.

He needs to do something.

“Like what?” Blaine asks, and Kurt realizes that he's spoken out loud.

“Something... good. Something... to help.”

“Karofsky?” Blaine looks a little worried, and Kurt supposes he can't really blame him.

“All of us,” Kurt answers. The wheels are turning in his head. “You, me, Santana, Brittany, Karofsky... and Sebastian.” Blaine's eyes go wide as Kurt rattles off the list. “We need to be there for each other, support each other so that next time, it's not one of us trying to do what Dave did... and so he's not tempted to try it again.”

“What did you have in mind?”

Kurt smiles as he picks up his phone and starts making calls.


The First Saturday

Kurt pulls up in front of Dave Karofsky's house, puts his Navigator in park and turns it off. He eyes the other inhabitants of the car: Santana and Brittany are cuddling together in the back and Sebastian is sitting as far away from them as he can get. Blaine’s in the passenger seat, giving him a reassuring look. Kurt knows adding Dave to the mix will make things even more complicated. He should have planned this better.

“Does he know we're coming?” Blaine asks. Kurt shakes his head.

“I don't want him to back out. He needs people to talk to about this stuff, and we... we get it.”

“Good luck,” Blaine murmurs, squeezing his hand.

“Thanks,” Kurt whispers. “Please, please, please, let my baby be in one piece when I get back.” He's mostly talking to Santana and Brittany when he says that. Who knew what kind of damage they could do to his SUV. Santana just rolls her eyes and then whispers something in Brittany's ear that makes the blonde smile. Kurt gets out of the SUV and heads for the front door, knocking lightly on it.

He's kind of surprised that it's Dave who answers.

“Kurt,” Karofsky says, startled. His voice is still a little hoarse. Of course, that's what one would sound like if one tried to hang himself. Kurt gathers himself and replies, “Good Morning, David.”

“What are you doing here?”

“We're kidnapping you,” Kurt answers with a small smile.

“What?” Karofsky stares at him, his mouth falling open.

“Go get dressed, preferably in something not made from flannel, and I'll explain.” Dave opens the door and lets him in, head into the living room. Kurt follows after throwing a ‘thumbs up’ to the group waiting on them.

Kurt stops short when he sees Dave's father sitting on the couch. There are blankets crumpled up in a ball at the end of the couch, and a pillow lying on the floor. Dave goes for a duffle bag in the corner of the room and gets out some clothes.

“Kurt,” Paul Karofsky greets, looking as surprised as David had been. “What's going on, David?”

“If it's okay, my friends and I are kidnapping him for the morning,” Kurt explains. Mr. Karofsky blinks at him for a moment, as if he doesn't know what to make of this development. That's only fair – he's had a horrible week as well.

“I didn't realize you two were...” Mr. Karofsky looked like he didn’t know what to say.

“David and I are friends,” Kurt says firmly. “And there are four other people outside who want to be there for him too.”

“Who else is here?” David asks, looking nervous.

“Blaine,” Kurt gives him a small smile, and David nods. “Santana, Brittany, and a boy from Dalton - Sebastian.” Dave looks kind of blown away by the fact that they all came. “Go get dressed. Santana and Brittany were canoodling in the backseat, and I'm pretty sure they're more likely to do something inappropriate because they have an audience.”

Dave laughs, actually laughs, and Kurt can't help but smile in return.

“That's the first time he's laughed in weeks,” Mr. Karofsky says quietly, once Dave has slipped down the hallway and into the bathroom. “Thank you for you doing this.” He pauses. “You didn't have to – in fact, I can't believe you're even here after what happened last year.”

“David and I have made peace about that,” Kurt tells him. “I know what it's like to be terrified of who you are. I've been where he's been. Everyone waiting for us has too.”

Dave's back in a matter of minutes, dressed in a simple t-shirt and jeans. “One day, everyone will take their wardrobe as seriously as I do,” Kurt says. Dave just grins.

“I'm pretty sure your idea of fashion is light years ahead of most of the Midwestern US.”

“This is true,” Kurt agrees. “We'll have him back in a couple of hours,” Kurt promises Mr. Karofsky, who nods.

“You have your phone, David?” Mr. Karofsky asks. David pulls it out and waves it in the air. “You kids be careful.”

“We will,” Kurt replies, knowing how hard it must be for Dave's father at the moment, letting Dave out of the house without him. Still, Kurt does get Dave out to the car after a few moments. The back door opens and Santana steps out, her cheerleading skirt billowing in the chilly morning breeze. She and Brittany have practice that afternoon and are already dressed for it. Kurt doesn't miss those days.

She pulls Dave into a hug, speaking rapidly at him in Spanish. Kurt picks up a word here or there but mostly gets that she's yelling at him because he scared her half to death. “Okay, ladies and gentleman,” Kurt says, opening the driver's door. “Let's get this show on the road.”

Santana slides over a seat so that she's next to Sebastian, glaring a little at the boy. Dave gets in next to her and then Brittany moves so she's sitting on Santana's lap. “Good morning, Dave,” Blaine says, and Kurt watches Karofsky flush in the rearview mirror as he slowly backs the SUV out of the driveway. Karofsky mumbles a reply. “You remember Sebastian,” Blaine points to the unusually quiet boy in the backseat.

“I remember,” Dave glares, and Kurt sighs.

Just when this was going well.

*

The six of them head into the Lima Bean and approach the counter. They don't talk much (the boys, not at all - Brittany keeps whispering to Santana and making her laugh) as they order and then pick up their drinks. Kurt leads them over to the seating area, thinking this might go better if they're not around a table. He sits on the couch, Blaine sitting next to him. Brittany and Santana squeeze on there too, and Kurt would be more annoyed, except that Blaine's thigh is pressing up against his, in public, and that is so, so okay with him at the moment. Dave and Sebastian each take one of the arm chairs, and then they all seem to look at Kurt.

He sighs, taking a drink.

“We all know why I put this... meeting together,” Kurt begins, once he's swallowed his sip of coffee. Dave shifts uncomfortably. “We've all been through hell these last two weeks. Some of us more than others,” he continues. “I don't know about the rest of you, but I don't want to go through that again.”

No one says anything. They all look sad and serious, and it makes Kurt's voice crack just a little.

“So I'm proposing that we become a support group for each other,” he says. “There are six of us, and we're the only out teens in Lima that I know.” Kurt swallows around the lump in his throat. “I think we should meet every Saturday and just... talk about stuff that's getting to us.”

“When did you get your degree in psychology?” Santana asks disdainfully. “If I wanted therapy, I’d at least go see someone who could prescribe me some good drugs.” Dave flinches, and Kurt’s anger flares.

“Why can't you stop being a bitch for five seconds?” Kurt snaps. They’re both out of line, and they both know it. Blaine's hand on his arm confirms as much. “Look, I'm sorry, I just... I don't want any more people I know ending up in the hospital.” He glances around at the group. “I know there are issues between some of us. We might not even particularly care for each other,” he adds. “But if it means that we always have someone to talk to, then isn't it worth it?”

The others seem to agree with him (no one's getting up and demanding to leave or anything), and Kurt relaxes just a little bit. “I think we should have a few rules,” Blaine speaks up, and Kurt turns to him in surprise.

“Rules?” he asks Blaine, who nods.

“Yeah,” Blaine answers. “I think the first one should be total honesty. If you don't want to discuss something, that's okay. But if you do, you have to tell the truth. This isn't going to work if we all go around saying we're fine if we're not.”

“Are we all agreed?” Kurt wants to know. There's some grumbling (mostly from Santana and Sebastian), but everyone seems to be for it.

“So are we just going to meet every week and talk?” Sebastian looks at him. “Cause no offense, Hummel, but that's kind of... lame.”

“No,” Kurt tells him, trying not to bristle at his words. “No, we can do other things. I'm open to suggestions as long as they don't involve fake ID's and gay bars.” Dave, Sebastian, and Blaine all shift and look uncomfortable.

“Well, doesn't that sound like a delightful story,” Santana purrs. “Who wants to be the first to share?”

“We are not talking about that,” Kurt shuts that down quick. “There's is no way I'm reliving that night.”

“Can we have a name?” Brittany wants to know, and Kurt can't help but smile. She hasn't said much since they picked her up.

“A name?” Kurt repeats.

“Because we're a group,” she tells them. “We should have a name.”

“I think that's a great idea, Britt,” Santana encourages. Brittany smiles.

“I think we should be The Unicorn Club,” she suggests.

“That's... really gay,” Sebastian replies, earning a glare from Santana.

“Look around, chipmunk,” she snaps, gesturing to the group. “That's the point.”

“Fine,” Sebastian agrees.

“Okay, now that that's been decided... I think we should go around and let everyone know how we're doing or talk about something that's bothering us.”

“You first,” Santana tells him. Kurt nods, taking another drink before continuing.

“I've been better,” he starts. “I'm still dealing with what Dave did, and what happened to Quinn, and I feel guilty.”

“It's not your fault, Kurt,” Dave says quietly. “I did what I did because I couldn't take it. That's not your fault.”

“If I had just answered the damn phone-”

“Don't,” Dave interrupts him. “You can't know that it would have done any good. I might have talked to you, and then gone and done it anyway.”

That's a sobering thought, one Kurt hadn't really let himself consider because it means that there's nothing he could have done, nothing he can do, and Kurt just can't accept that.

“We, uh, took donations in your name at Regionals,” Sebastian speaks up. Dave glances at him, and Kurt can see his eyes widen.

“Why?” Dave asks after a long moment. “Because of that night at Scandals?”

“Yes,” Sebastian answers reluctantly. Kurt and the others on the couch watch the exchange silently. He's dying to ask exactly what went down between the two that night, because whatever it was, it's shaken Sebastian up. “That, and Kurt telling me I'm a disgrace to the gay community.”

“You were blackmailing us,” Kurt points out.

“That's done with,” Sebastian reminds them. They're silent for a moment.

“Aside from being pissed at Dave for not calling me when he needed help, I'm worried about Quinn,” Santana breaks the silence. Kurt knows how hard this probably is for her. “Her mother won't even let me or Brittany see her.”

“Lord Tubbington is still smoking,” Brittany says when Santana's done, “and everyone is sad, and I don't know what to do so they're not sad anymore.”

Sebastian looks a little taken aback, but the rest of them don't even blink in Brittany's direction - they're used to her. Kurt finds it kind of endearing, actually. “That's why we're here, Britt,” he says gently. “So we can try and help each other not be sad.”

“Mostly I just feel numb,” Dave adds, and everyone looks at him. “They... put me on medication, and it helps, but I don't feel... anything,” Dave tells them. “Just numb.”

“Is it supposed to be like that?” Kurt asks. Dave shrugs.

“It's hard to say,” he answers. “Everyone has an adjustment period to medication.”

“I guess it's my turn,” Blaine tightens his grip on his hand, speaking up when Dave is done. “I'm worried.” Blaine is staring at Kurt, and Kurt can't look away. “About you.”

“I'm fine, Blaine,” Kurt replies.

“You're not fine, Kurt,” Blaine counters. “And I thought we all agreed there would be no lying.” Kurt bites his lip and finally looks away.

“I don't want to put any of it on you,” he murmurs. “You've been through enough.”

“I don't care who you talk to, Kurt,” Blaine responds, squeezing his fingers. “There are four other people sitting here. I hope you can bring yourself to tell one of them.” Kurt nods. He's not sure he feels any better after the meeting, but maybe – like with Dave's medication – it'll take time. He gets up slowly, feeling like he's aged rapidly in the hour they've been there. They all slowly stand up too.

“So,” Kurt says, as they toss their coffee cups in the trash and head for the door as a group. “Next Saturday?”


The Second Saturday

“I still don't understand how he's... like... humanly possible,” Blaine says, staring at something on Kurt's phone. Santana is leaning over Kurt's other shoulder and smiling wickedly.

“Damn, Hummel,” she adds. “That's a fantastic shot.” Kurt's staring at his phone too, a slightly dreamy smile on his face.

“What are you three looking at?” Sebastian asks as he and Dave join them. They're all gathered in the Lima Bean, ready for their second “meeting.” Kurt turns his phone around so they can see.

“Who is that?” Sebastian leans forward to get a better look.

“That, boys, is our new Spanish teacher,” Kurt says, a little breathless.

“Should I be concerned about this?” Blaine teases him. “I mean, first Taylor Lautner, now Mr. Martinez...”

“Oh, my God. Don't make me wish I never told you about that,” Kurt mutters, turning red. “I know all your weaknesses, Blaine Anderson and I will exploit them.” Blaine just grins and Kurt can't help but smile back.

“Where's Blondie?” Sebastian wants to know. He leans back in his chair, clearly unimpressed with Kurt and Blaine's banter.

“Brittany,” Santana replies with an edge to her tone, “is getting us all coffee. If you shut your mouth, maybe you won't end up wearing it.”

“Relax,” Sebastian says, taken aback. “I didn't mean anything by it.” Santana narrows her eyes at him, and Kurt sighs. Sometimes he wonders if this whole thing was a good idea or just a moment of temporary insanity. Brittany returns that moment with a tray full of coffees – and every order is perfect.

“How did you know what I wanted?” Sebastian asks, staring at her in disbelief.

“I based it off your personality,” Brittany replies in a cheerful tone. “You're bitter and kind of dark, so no sugar and only one cream.” Sebastian's mouth falls open, and Kurt can tell he's not sure if he was just insulted or not.

“You did amazing,” Santana says, pecking Brittany lightly on the lips.

“Speaking of amazing…” Sebastian says, his eyes trained on something behind the rest of the boys. They turn around to see what he’s looking at, in time to see tall, dark haired guy walk by.

“Okay, hormones on parade,” Santana gets their attention.

“Who wants to start?” Kurt asks, after they’ve all turned back around. The mood turns serious and they all shift around and take drinks from their cups before Dave finally breaks the silence.

“My dad’s trying to find me a new school.” He’s staring at the cup in his hand. “I’m not sure that going back to McKinley is the best thing, and I can’t go back to…” he trails off.

“Has he checked out Dalton?” Sebastian wants to know. “They do have the ‘No Bullying’ policy.”

“Yes, because they’ve really enforced that where you’re concerned,” Blaine snaps and they all turn to look at him.

“I apologized for that,” Sebastian replies, looking upset. “I told you I’m done playing games.”

“You apologized to me,” Blaine says, still upset. “What about apologizing to your intended target? We all know that slushie wasn’t meant for me.” Dave looks confused, but everyone else there knows exactly what he’s talking about. Kurt holds his breath, wondering if Sebastian will actually do it.

“Fine,” Sebastian agrees, his voice soft. “Kurt, I’m sorry I tried to throw a slushie in your face.”

“Apology accepted,” Kurt murmurs, wanting the whole thing to be dropped. “I put together some ideas and suggestions for things we could talk about, and I thought maybe the first one could be how old we were when we knew that we were gay,” he suggests. “Or bi,” he hurriedly adds when Santana shoots him a death glare and then glances at Brittany. He’s still not sure that he believes bisexuality exists, but Brittany does seem to truly love both Artie and Santana, and honestly, Kurt’s a little jealous that it’s so easy for her.

“I was twelve,” Blaine dives right in when it’s apparent no one wants to field this question first. “I was thirteen when I told my parents.”

“Fourteen,” Kurt murmurs, “when I admitted it to myself. My dad says he’s known since I was three. Everyone assumed, but I didn’t come out until sophomore year.”

“Thirteen,” Sebastian chimes in. “I was thirteen when I figured it out and fourteen when I came out.”

“Fifteen,” Dave’s voice is low. “I started wondering at fifteen, but it wasn’t until last year-" he stops talking as he and Kurt share a glance. “And I guess I just came out last week.”

“I started wondering when I was fourteen,” Santana admits. “I met Brittany and she made me question myself.” Brittany gives her a smile. “I was outed in November,” she continues. “Thanks in part to your idiot of a brother,” She directs at Kurt, “and that stupid campaign ad.”

“I saw that ad,” Sebastian looks at her. “That’s…”

“Tell me about it,” she mutters. “I had to make sure I told my family before they saw it on TV.”

“I didn’t think about it until last year,” Brittany says. “I just knew that I loved Santana the same way that I loved Artie.”

They get into a discussion about how their parents reacted, and Kurt is surprised by the number of parents in their group that ended up being okay with it. Brittany hasn’t told her parents yet, Blaine’s parents are still having issues with it, and it might be too soon to tell for Dave’s father (his mother is definitely not taking it well).

“Now that we’re all depressed,” Sebastian pronounces, “how about we discuss something fun?” Everyone agrees, and Sebastian grins. “First kiss. Boy and girl, if it applies, and who it was.”

“Maybe we shouldn’t,” Kurt protests, feeling Dave’s eyes on him.

“Oh, come on.” Santana grins. “Unless you’ve got something you want to hide?” Kurt just sighs, wondering how to handle this. “Noah Puckerman,” she continues, “at the beginning of freshman year. Brittany, the middle of freshman year. See? It’s not that difficult.”

“Joshua Grayson,” Sebastian takes his turn. “Last summer. We got friendly very fast.” Kurt can’t help but roll his eyes, even as his heart beat is speeding up in his chest. This is actually happening and when it’s his turn, he has no idea what he’s going to say. “I haven’t kissed any girls, but I’m open to idea.”

Kurt blinks at him. “I thought you were gay?”

“I know I like boys,” Sebastian replies. “Girls are undetermined.” He smirks. “Blaine?”

Blaine’s mouth falls open, and he looks at Kurt. Kurt can see that he’s uncomfortable, but there’s no reason Blaine shouldn’t answer, so Kurt gives him a small smile. “Rachel Berry,” Blaine finally answers.

“Wait,” Santana leans over to look at Blaine. “You and Berry getting your mack on last year in her basement was your first kiss?”

“What’s your point, Santana?” Blaine looks annoyed.

“Nothing,” she laughs. “It just explains so much. I assume the boy was Hummel?” Blaine nods, blushing a little.

“How predictable,” she sighs. “You guys are so boring.”

“Gee, thank you,” Kurt replies, his tone sarcastic.

“Fine, then,” Santana says. “Shock me. Who was your first kiss?”

“Brittany,” Kurt smiles at Brittany and she smiles back. She takes Kurt’s hand in hers and runs her finger over it.

“Your hands are still so soft,” she tells him and doesn’t know what to say to that.

“Thank you,” he gets out awkwardly.

“We all knew that,” Santana points out. “You had some kind of freak out and wore flannel and made out with Britt.” She rolled her eyes. “That’s not news.”

“Wait,” Sebastian pipes up. “You two?” He looks like he doesn’t know what to do with the information he’s just learned. Kurt nods stiffly, knowing the reason for Sebastian’s disbelief has more to do with Kurt’s appearance than Brittany’s sexuality.

“Who was your first boy kiss then?” Santana asks. “Anderson?” Kurt takes a deep breath. He can’t look at Karofsky, and he can’t lie.

“In accordance with the ‘rules’ of our group, I’d rather not say,” Kurt murmurs, staring down into his coffee cup.

Now there are five pairs of eyes staring at him. He shrugs. “It’s not mine to tell,” Kurt says.

“Fine, then.” Santana turns to Dave. “Britt?”

“Jacob Ben Israel,” Brittany answers promptly. “And Santana.”

Santana turns to Dave. “Your turn, DK.”

“My first kiss with a girl was Santana,” Dave finally speaks. He’s staring at Kurt and Kurt is screaming at him with his eyes. Dave doesn’t need to do this. He can choose to keep quiet. It’s okay. “With a boy… Kurt.”


The Third Saturday

The next Saturday, Kurt is sitting by himself, waiting for the others to arrive. Dave’s revelation at the end of the last meeting had upset both Santana and Brittany as the truth had finally come spilling out. Dave seemed unable or unwilling to keep it locked up any longer. It was probably healthier that way, but now Kurt had an angry Finn, an irate father, and an emotional stepmother to deal with, as Santana had been unable to keep news that ‘good’ to herself.

Sebastian had laughed and then lewdly pointed out that Kurt had actually kissed three of the six members of their group, with an implication that was hard to miss. Kurt had abruptly brought the meeting to a close and stalked out, Blaine on his heels.

Dave arrives a few moments later. He’s carrying his laptop with him and looks surprised when he sees Kurt sitting there by himself. Dave leaves his laptop with Kurt and orders a coffee. They’re still the only two there when he gets back.

“I’m sorry about…” Dave starts to say, but Kurt holds up his hand and shakes his head.

“It was brave of you to admit what happened,” Kurt tells him. “Even if the glee club is kind of freaking out about it right now.”

“So they didn’t know we were having these meetings?”

Kurt shook his head. “No,” he answers, “But they do now, and none of them really understand what we’re trying to do here.”

“That’s for damn sure,” Santana says as she and Brittany join them. “If I have to hear Rachel’s grating voice harping at me on the subject one more time, I won’t be held responsible for my actions.”

“Just be glad she’s not going to be your sister-in-law,” Kurt replies. “How’s Quinn?” Kurt knew the two girls had just come from seeing her – the first of their group to be able to do so. The two girls manage to cram themselves into the same arm chair.

“She’s doing a lot better physically,” Santana replies.

“She cried a lot,” Brittany murmurs. “She kept trying to make her legs move but they wouldn’t.”

“Are you talking about Quinn?” Blaine asks, dropping down on the couch next to him, Dave on his other side. “She’s paralyzed?”

“For now,” Santana says softly. “Her mother said the doctors were ‘optimistic.’”

“That’s awful,” Kurt whispers. They’re quiet until Sebastian shows up and it’s clear he can sense the melancholy mood.

“Bad week?” he wants to know as he sits down in the chair.

“For some of us,” Kurt answers with a sigh. “What’s with the laptop?” He looks at Dave.

“I was hoping… I need to go in and fix my Facebook account and my email and there are all those messages…” he trails off. “I didn’t want to look at it by myself and my dad… he doesn’t need to see that.”

Kurt takes the laptop from Dave and waits while it loads. “How are things between you and your dad?” he asks.

“Good,” Dave replies, smiling.

“What about your mother?” Kurt continues, glancing at him after typing in the web address. Dave’s face falls.

“She – she’s fighting with my dad,” he admits. “She says that I’m fixable, that there are camps or something they should send me too.”

“Are you serious?” Sebastian looks horrified. “That’s ridiculous. Those places are glorified torture chambers.”

“My dad told her no,” Dave murmurs. “And he’s got full custody, so there’s not a lot that she can do without petitioning the courts.”

“Your mother and my Grandmother should hang out,” Santana tells him, wiping what looks suspiciously like a tear from her eye. “She won’t even look at me when she comes to visit, and she doesn’t want me coming to her house.”

“Did you try talking to her?” Blaine touches Santana’s arm.

“Of course I did, Tintin,” she snaps. “It’s not the fact that I’m a lesbian she as a problem with.” Santana sighs. “According to her, the problem is that I’m out and proud, and publicly dating a girl. Gay’s okay by her as long as we don’t talk about it.”

Kurt’s doing his best to focus on the conversation going on around him as Dave puts in his password information. Kurt starts scrolling through and deleting several weeks’ worth of nasty message on, trying not to let them get to him. It’s a struggle and Blaine seems to know how upset he is, because he eventually leans over and takes the laptop from him. “You don’t have to do it alone, and neither does Dave.”

The laptop makes circles around the group until the very last of the hate-filled messages are gone. Kurt watches as Dave changes his password, sets his settings to private and then sends out friend requests to the five of them.

“Thanks,” he speaks quietly.

“So, next week, I was thinking a change of location,” Kurt brings up.

“Where did you have in mind?” Blaine questions him.

“Well, I was reminded of something you told me last year,” Kurt answers. “About knowing how to act out the way you feel in song.” He smiles. “So I’m proposing a field trip to the April Rhodes Auditorium, where we’ll each sing one song that best explains how we’re feeling.”

“That’s… actually a decent idea,” Santana agrees, sounding surprised.

“I guess I’m in,” Sebastian tells them.

“Bring your anti-itch cream,” Kurt replies, and Sebastian looks confused. “I thought public schools gave you hives.”

“Are you going to throw every horrible thing I’ve said back in my face?” he asks Kurt. “I don’t know how many times I have to apologize before you get it.”

“You’re right,” Kurt sighs. “I’m sorry. I’m just…”

“I don’t know anything about singing,” Dave interrupts, looking worried. “I barely remember anything from that week we spent in glee club last year.”

“I’ll help you,” Kurt assures him. “Are we all agreed?”

Everyone murmurs their agreement, and Kurt gives Dave a smile.


Tuesday Night Interlude

“This was a bad idea,” Kurt mutters, pacing around his living room. “What was I thinking? This is terrible.” He pauses in mid-step when he realizes that Blaine is staring at him, smiling with a kind of love struck expression. “What?”

“You’re adorable when you’re nervous,” Blaine tells him. Kurt cracks a smile. “Things will be fine.”

“You always say just what I need to hear,” Kurt replies, leaning down and kissing him lightly. Blaine takes a moment to deepen the kiss, the fingers on his right hand running lightly under the edge of Kurt’s vest.

“Blaine,” Kurt murmurs against his lips. “We can’t. They’ll be here any second.”

Kurt had been serious about helping Karofsky with his song choice for the upcoming meeting and somehow that had spiraled into a weeknight meeting of the group at his house. His parents were in DC for the week, Finn was working late at the shop, and Kurt had the whole house to himself. The doorbell rang proving his words true, and Kurt headed for the door. Santana and Brittany were on the porch, shivering in the cool night air. Kurt makes two more trips back to the door, letting Sebastian and Dave in and waits while everyone gets settled before starting.

“Dave wanted some help picking out a song and tips on performing, and I thought maybe we could watch some our competition performances to kind of give him a refresher on performing,” he begins. Kurt holds up a DVD. “I was thinking performances first?”

When no one objects, he puts the DVD in the player and hits the start button. The train wreck that was the beginning of Sectionals two years ago shows up on screen.

“Can we fast forward passed this?” Santana asks, asks as the girls from Jane Adams Academy come out and start singing. “I just can’t watch this again. Skip to our part.”

“What happened?” Dave asks.

“Our set list was stolen and we had to come up with a new one right before we went on,” Santana tells him. “Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?” Her pointed tone is not lost on Blaine or Sebastian, judging by their expressions. Kurt just fast forwards to their part, when Rachel came walking out of the back, belting “Don’t Rain on My Parade.”

“She was good even then,” Blaine comments, smiling.

“The problem with Rachel isn’t that she’s good,” Kurt replies. “It’s that she knows it.”

They watch silently as “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” comes on, followed by “Somebody to Love.”

Discussions of the performances start when they hit Sectionals from last year – it’s the first of the performances with Kurt at Dalton.

“I look miserable,” Kurt observes, looking at the screen. “I mean, really. Rachel had to remind me to smile from the audience.”

“You just sort of go for it when you perform, don’t you, Blaine?” Santana asks. She’s stretched out on the couch, her head in Brittany’s lap. Her feet are in Dave’s lap, as he’s on the couch with them, and he’s rubbing her feet. Sebastian’s reclining in the chair, and Kurt and Blaine are camped out on the floor with pillows, their ankles locked together.

“Might as well,” Blaine tells her. “If you don’t give it your all, what’s the point?”

“It sucks, knowing that you had to leave McKinley because of me,” Dave says quietly, watching as Sam and Quinn appear and start singing.

“In a weird way, it all worked out for the best.” Kurt smiles, glancing at Blaine. “If I’d stayed at McKinley, Blaine and I probably wouldn’t be together.”

“You don’t think?” Blaine asks him. “I would have figured it out eventually.”

Kurt rolls his eyes. “Yeah, maybe by graduation,” he teases Blaine. “This way you figured it out while I was eulogizing a dead bird.”

Sebastian snorts out laughter. “The best part about that is that it’s not a joke,” he manages to get out. “You should hear the other Warblers when they talk about it. It’s like they witnessed a miracle or something.”

“I loved that damn bird, thank you very much,” Kurt mutters, indignant, deciding not to mention that the Warblers didn’t seem to have any trouble forgetting that story when they were planning on throwing a slushie in his face, or walking away from Blaine when he was lying on the ground screaming. “It’s not my fault if Blaine chose to be moved by it.” He glances at Dave. “Anyway, we tied and went to Regionals. I wasn’t that upset.”

“New Directions aced at Regionals last year,” Santana brags.

“Yeah, because you guys wrote your own songs,” Kurt points out. “And possibly because Blaine and I sang a duet – I can’t imagine that went over well with the conservative judges we had.”

“I wouldn’t have done it any other way,” Blaine insists, smiling at him.

“Okay, if you two get any more sweet, I’m going to vomit,” Santana interrupts.

“Agreed,” Sebastian speaks up from the chair. “It’s like you’re married.”

“Did Kurt and Blaine get married instead of Rachel and Finn?” Brittany asks, looking confused.

“No, Britt,” Santana answers. “They just act like it. I swear you’re as bad as Tina and Mike.”

“I think I’m going to choose to take that as a compliment,” Kurt replies, pushing the button to start the next DVD, and Regionals from last year appears on the screen. Finn and Rachel come out, circling each other on stage as they sing, before ending the song with a long kiss.

“Wait a second,” Sebastian says, laughing. Kurt pauses the DVD. “I saw this last summer,” he continues. “On YouTube.”

“You and everyone else,” Kurt replies. “It got some great comments. Rachel was mortified.”

“I left one,” Sebastian tells them, “Asking why the T-rex was eating the Jew.”

“That was you?” Kurt can’t help the choked sound that comes out of his mouth. “Do you know how much mileage I got out of that? Three months of it.” He and Sebastian actually share a smile, and for the first time since they’d started the Unicorn Club, Kurt feels like maybe Sebastian and he could actually be friends. He starts the DVD again, and New Directions had just launched into “Light Up the World” when the front door opened.

Kurt cringed, hearing Finn and Rachel’s voice in the entryway.

“What’s going on in here?” Finn asks as he and Rachel enter the room. Kurt presses pause on the remote again.

“What does it look like?” Kurt asks, annoyed.

“Like you’re showing the competition our performances, that’s what,” Rachel answers, sounding indignant.

“That’s what you would see,” Kurt replies, sounding tired. “We’re just helping David with a refresher on performing.”

“Why?” She eyes Dave suspiciously.

“Not that it’s any of your business, but we’re going to be singing for our meeting on Saturday,” Kurt explains, and immediately regrets it. Rachel has a calculating look, though Finn just seems worried.

“Look, dude, I know things are supposedly good between all of you guys now, but are you sure hanging out together is a good idea?”

“Yes,” Kurt answers firmly. “You wouldn’t understand.”

“Because you never try to explain it to me!” Finn shouts, and Kurt jumps. “It’s just like last year.”

Kurt sees Dave wince out of the corner of his eye. Blaine puts a comforting hand on Kurt’s shoulder.

“You have eyes, Finn. You knew how bad it was. You chose not to see. This is nowhere near the same thing.”

“Maybe I should go,” Dave speaks up, his voice quiet.

“No,” Kurt replies. “No, I want you to stay. We promised to help you.”

“I don’t want to cause you any more problems,” Dave murmurs.

“You’re not,” Kurt insists. “Right, Finn?”

“Yeah,” Finn finally agrees, and takes a protesting Rachel up to his room.

They finish watching the DVDs silently, especially the ones from the most recent Regionals – the one where Quinn had been happy and healthy and not mangled from a car accident while struggling to walk.

They briefly discussed different songs, throwing out choices, but ultimately decided to keep their song choices a surprise until Saturday morning. Kurt was okay with that, as he wasn’t sure what he was going to sing yet.

“Do you know what you’re going to sing?” Kurt asks Blaine, once everyone had gone. Blaine just smiles.

“It’s a secret,” he answers, kissing Kurt lightly on the lips. “You’ll find out on Saturday.”


The Fourth Saturday

“Man, it feels weird being back here,” Dave says looking around the McKinley High auditorium. The band is setting up on stage, having agreed to Kurt’s request to play for them – even Brad was going to be there. “It’s like… nothing’s changed.”

“McKinley hasn’t changed,” Kurt replies. “You have.” Dave smiles a little as they gather together in a circle. “Who wants to go first?”

“I will,” Brittany volunteers. Kurt’s just about to ask her what she’s going to sing when the sound of the auditorium doors opening reaches his ears. He turns around and sees the other members of New Directions filing in.

“What are you guys doing here?” Blaine asks the question before Kurt can.

“We came to watch,” Finn replies.

“This is private,” Kurt hisses. “Between the six of us.”

“No, it’s you singing with our competition,” Rachel counters.

“We won at Regionals, Rachel,” Kurt snaps. “They’re not competition anymore.”

“I don’t trust him,” Finn tells them. “Or Karofsky. I’m sorry, dude, I know you’re going through a lot,” he says to Dave. “But you put my brother through hell last year and I just can’t get passed it.”

“You all agree with the doofus, don’t you?” Santana demands, staring at the other members of New Directions, who all end up nodding.

“You might not like it, but we put it to a vote and we’re staying,” Finn declares. Kurt sighs and tries to remember that he loves his brother, and strangling Finn would not help his NYADA chances.

“Fine,” Kurt whips around. “We can reschedule this, you guys.”

“I don’t care if they’re here or not,” Sebastian shrugs.

“Me either,” Blaine agrees. “We sing in front of them all the time. This wouldn’t be any different.”

“That’s true,” Santana adds. Brittany nods. They all look at Dave.

“You can back out,” Kurt offers. “We won’t think less of you.”

“No,” Dave eventually says. “If you guys are going to sing, then so am I.”

“Okay, then.” Kurt looks at Brittany. “Britt, you’re up.” She makes her way up the stairs of the stage, murmurs something to the guitarist and then makes her way over the mike. Kurt and the others settle themselves in the front row. The other members of New Directions are a few rows behind them.

The music starts and Kurt smiles as Brittany begins to sing. “I’m standing on the bridge, I’m waiting in the dark, I thought that you’d be here by now,” she starts, and she sounds amazing. Kurt gets caught up in the song and he can tell the others are too. Brittany’s alternating between longing and staring at Santana in a way that makes Kurt wonder why it took them so long to get together. It’s clear how much Brittany loves her.

“Take me by the hand, take me somewhere new. I don’t know who you are, but I, I’m with you.” Brittany finishes the song, and blows a kiss at Santana who mimes catching it in her hand. Brittany comes to the end of the stage, and sits down. They had planned to discuss what they were feeling after each song, but Kurt knows that’s not going to happen now that they have an audience. He makes a note to talk about it at the next meeting.

“You were amazing,” Santana compliments her first. Brittany grins as she slips down to the floor. “Who’s next?”

“I’ll go,” Sebastian offers. He goes up, and stands before the microphone, holding it tightly in his hands. “I once knew a girl,” he sings, “in the years of my youth, with eyes like the summer, all beauty and truth.” Kurt frowns, getting the feeling Sebastian is talking about Blaine. “In the morning I fled, left a note and it read ‘some day you will be loved.’” The beat kicked in as Sebastian kept singing. Kurt tried not to scowl at him, but the song felt kind of pointed. Then Sebastian launched into the chorus, and the song took on a vulnerability despite its fast pace. Kurt got it then. The song wasn’t about Blaine (well, maybe not entirely). It was about Sebastian. He and Blaine exchanged a look. He can hear the members of New Directions murmuring behind them and hopes they can keep quiet long enough for them to get through this. The song draws to a close and they all clap. Sebastian looks almost sort of sheepish as he comes down, which is interesting. Santana stands, her dark hair swirling.

“My turn,” she says. “I’m gonna show you how it’s done.” Santana takes the microphone from the stand and slides up on top of the piano, leaning back seductively. Kurt knows the bravado is for their extra audience. Brad starts to play, a slow song and then Santana opens her mouth. “Load up on guns, bring your friends.” Her voice is low and hypnotic. “She’s overboard and self-assured, oh, no, I know a dirty word.”

Kurt is captivated by the rawness of the performance. For all her facade, Santana isn’t hesitating to show how she’s feeling. “A denial, a denial, a denial,” she ends and the auditorium is silent for a moment. Everyone, including the other New Directions members, bursts in to applause. Santana looks emotional when she comes down to her seat and Brittany hugs her tightly.

Kurt wonders what the others think of this as he looks between Dave and Blaine to decide who would go next. “I’ll go, I guess,” Kurt says and Blaine smiles, squeezing his hand.

“Break a leg,” Blaine murmurs. Kurt nods, heading up the stairs to the stage. He pauses to tell the band the song and then turns to the microphone.

“Birds flyin’ high, you know how I feel. Sun in the sky, you know how I feel,” Kurt sings, using his lower register. “Breeze driftin’ on by, you know how I feel. It’s a new dawn, it’s a new day, it’s a new life for me and I’m feelin’ good.” The band joins in after a moment as he continues, dancing side to side, one hand on the microphone and snapping his fingers to the beat with the other. “Freedom is mine, and I know how I feel,” he wailed, holding the microphone away from him. Toward the end of the song he launched into a series of runs, delving into his upper register. He could hear the claps and cheers of his friends and he knew that he’d surprised them. “I’m feeling good,” he ended the song, a giant smile on his face. He could see that Rachel had tears in her eyes and knew then that it was a good idea for his friends to watch this. They could see how their group interacted, how - despite all their differences and issues - they had managed to find a common ground.

“Kurt, that was amazing,” Blaine tells him, getting up.

“Thank you,” Kurt replies. “Your turn?” Blaine nods.

“Dave and I flipped for it.” Kurt smiles, but knows that this means Dave is going to go last. One glance at his former bully reveals that Dave looks nervous. Kurt can only hope that this ends well, because he’d hate to have to end up back where he started with Dave.

Blaine goes up on the stage and says something to Brad. To Kurt’s surprise, Brad gets up and Blaine takes his seat at the piano. A slow melody starts, a kind of haunting tune that makes Kurt feel unsettled before Blaine even opens his mouth. “Is it really what they say it is? I’m tryin’ to make sense of this. They always say, never join the circus,” Blaine practically croons into the microphone. Kurt is enraptured. He’s never seen a performance from Blaine quite like this. Blaine’s rendition of “Cough Syrup” a few weeks ago had come close, though, and once again, worry springs up in his gut. Blaine’s not okay, no matter how hard he’s trying to hide it. “Will they really take care of me? Love me like I wanna be? I’ve heard this before; this life can leave you empty.”

Kurt freezes as Blaine’s voice suddenly cracks. The song stops and Blaine is clearly trying to force back whatever he’s feeling. Kurt’s out of his seat before he even gave himself permission to move and comes up behind Blaine. He glances at the music in front of Blaine and picks up where Blaine stops. “It’s hard to see it from the bottom, when your light is still shining.” He glances at Blaine, who’s still shaking, but pressing his fingers to the piano keys. Kurt keeps going. “It’s time for you to hurry up now, ‘cause your time is rising.”

Blaine swallows hard and joins back in with him, and together they sing “It’s hard to see it from the bottom, when you wanna give up now, you gotta keep goin’, ‘cause your time is risin’. You feel it comin’ down, you gotta keep yourself together.”

The song becomes a duet from that point on, he and Blaine taking turns with the lyrics, making a up a harmony on the spot for the chorus. Blaine’s still shaking when the song comes to close.

“Blaine,” Kurt murmurs but Blaine shakes his head. Kurt holds his hand as the two them come down off the stage. The auditorium is silent as they walk over to the rest of the group. Blaine sits down next to Brittany and she immediately pulls him close. Kurt smiles his thanks because Dave has just stood up, looking terrified and now Kurt has to deal with him.

“You sure you still want to do this?” Kurt asks. Dave nods, his expression shifting to one of determination, and Kurt’s proud of him when Dave climbs the stairs and takes his place at the microphone. Brad’s back at the piano and the song begins with a heavy drum beat.
The guitar chimes in and Dave grips the microphone as he opens his mouth.

“Go ahead as you waste your days with thinking, when you fall everyone stands. Another day and you've had your fill of sinking.” Dave’s voice is hesitant, almost drowned out by the instruments. Kurt’s surprised to find that Dave has a decent voice, though clearly untrained. “With the life held in your hands are shaking cold, these hands are meant to hold.” Dave hits the chorus and his voice gets stronger, angrier almost, and Kurt can tell everyone’s impressed.

Then he goes into the second verse.

“So a day when you've lost yourself completely,” Dave sings, “could be a night when your life ends. Such a heart that will lead you to deceiving all the pain held in your hands are shaking cold; your hands are mine to hold.” Kurt can’t hold back the gasp or the tears that come to his eyes. Dave’s singing his feelings, putting everything out there through his song and Kurt can’t believe it. He finishes, and Kurt wipes his eyes delicately with his sleeve, noticing everyone around him but Sebastian doing the same. Sebastian, however, is clenching his jaw so tightly it could probably crack with a soft blow.

It’s weird but he feels closer to other members of their group. They all revealed something today.

Dave joins them, looking a little sheepish.

“That was amazing,” Kurt tells him. He grins.

“We had no idea,” Rachel’s voice gets their attention. The rest of New Directions has gotten up and is standing near them now.

“Now you do,” Santana replies. “Try not to forget it.”

They wait until the other members of New Directions have filed out of the auditorium before speaking to each other. The minute the others are gone, Kurt turns to Blaine. “Are you okay?”

Blaine sighs, shaking his head. “No.”

“Do you want to talk about it?” Kurt prods.

“Not yet,” Blaine answers, his eyes pleading with Kurt to understand.

“Okay,” Kurt agrees. “In fact, why don’t we all wait until next Saturday and we can talk about today.”

Brittany and Santana link pinkies and leave with a wave. Dave isn’t far behind them, his father having called, wanting to know where he was. Blaine went up on stage and grabbed his sheet music. Kurt went to follow him but stopped when Sebastian touched his arm.

“Can I ask you something?”

“Sure,” Kurt says, turning to look at him.

“Why are you doing all this?” Sebastian asks. “What are you getting out of it?”

“I don’t understand.” Kurt can only stare at him in confusion.

“Are you trying to qualify for sainthood or something?” Kurt searches Sebastian’s face, trying to figure out if he’s being mean or not.

“Of course not,” Kurt scoffs. “What’s so wrong with wanting to help?”

“There’s wanting to help and there’s letting people get away with everything – like you did with me.” Sebastian sighs.

“I didn’t let you get away with anything,” Kurt mutters. “The Warblers know exactly what you’re capable of now.” He eyes Sebastian. “And how do you know I don’t have a copy of that tape somewhere?” Sebastian stares at him open mouthed, but Kurt’s done with the conversation. He heads for Blaine, taking his boyfriend by the hand and leading him out of the auditorium.

Blaine may not be ready to tell him what’s wrong, but Kurt intends to make sure he gets all the tender, loving care he clearly needs anyway.


The Fifth Saturday

Sebastian is there already at the Lima Bean, talking and laughing with Dave and Brittany when Kurt arrives. It’s a sight he’s not sure he ever expected to see, but it makes him smile as he heads over to the group. “Hi,” he says, dropping down next to Brittany on the couch. She hands him a still warm cup with a smile. “Thanks.”

“I’m surprised Blaine isn’t with you,” Sebastian comments. “I figured you two would be joined at the hip since spring break starts today.”

“We don’t spend every minute of every day together,” Kurt replies, but the words hit home. Blaine’s been pulling away from him a little more all week, ever since he’d broken down while singing and Kurt doesn’t know what to do about it. While he’s feeling a bit more charitable toward Sebastian these days (the guy does really seem to be trying), Kurt’s not about to give him any ammunition. Just then Santana comes in, Blaine right behind her. Blaine looks tired and frazzled – it’s just one more thing that Kurt adds to his list of things that are worrying him about Blaine.

Blaine presses a soft kiss to his cheek as he squeezes in next to Kurt. Santana’s content to settle on Brittany’s lap. Kurt realizes that all eyes are on him so he clears his throat and starts the discussion about the previous Saturday’s performances. “Who wants to go first?”

No one says anything at first.

Then Brittany speaks. “I thought we kicked ass.”

“We did,” Santana agrees.

“Does anyone want to say why they chose the song they did?” Kurt asks.

“I was lost, before Santana found me,” Brittany says, smiling at her. “The mall is confusing. I kept going round in circles and the people at the Gap kept staring at me like they were afraid me.”

Kurt does his very best to school his expression. The others do the same, though Sebastian looks like he’s on the verge of losing the battle as his lips are twitching. Santana just looks entranced, as if she’s completely fascinated by Brittany’s words.

Kurt realizes she probably is.

“I chose mine because for once things are going my way – my NYADA audition is coming up soon, and I’m one step closer to getting out of this town.” Kurt takes his turn.

“I spent a lot of time denying who I was,” Santana speaks up. “I’m done hiding. I don’t care who has a problem with it, even if it is my own grandmother.”

“For so long,” Sebastian begins, “I’ve treated relationships like a game. I got out before I got hurt and I was the winner.” He pauses. “All might be fair in love and war…” He glances at Dave. “No one ever talks about the collateral damage.”

“The night that I…” Dave’s voice is quiet. “That I tried to kill myself, I felt a lot of the things that song talked about.” His hands are shaking in his lap. “I still can’t even go near my closet.”

They fall silent a moment, Kurt realizing that Blaine hasn’t said anything. “Blaine?” Blaine glances at him. “Why did you choose your song?”

With those words, Kurt’s flashing back to the year before and ‘why did you choose me to sing that song with?’, and it’s clear that Blaine has too, if the quirky smile that crosses his lips is any indication.

“Pass,” Blaine murmurs, staring into his eyes as if willing Kurt to understand.

He doesn’t.

He doesn’t get it all and Blaine won’t tell him what the problem is.

“Blaine, you should really…” Kurt starts, but stops when he sees Blaine’s expression change.

“I thought the rules were if we wanted to pass on something, we could,” Blaine bites out. He stands up, and Kurt stares at him, mouth falling open in shock. “I’m going to go.”

“Blaine!” Kurt exclaims, trying not to be too loud, as they’re in a public place and he doesn’t want to be thrown out or something.

“I’ll call you later,” Blaine mutters, heading for the door.

“Boy, what’s got his tightie whities in a twist?” Santana asks.

“I wish I knew.”


Friday Night Interlude


“Kurt?” Blaine says his name, getting Kurt's attention. Kurt immediately feels terrible. Blaine had been mouthing at his neck, his fingers drifting down along the buttons that run up and down Kurt’s shirt. Kurt had let his thoughts run away from him, distracting him from Blaine’s efforts.

“Hmmm,” Kurt makes a noise and Blaine goes back to his neck, his lips and his tongue sucking and tasting.

“Kurt.” This time when Blaine says his name, he pulls away.

“What?” Kurt glances at him.

“Where are you right now?”

“I'm here.” Kurt looks at Blaine, confused.

“No, you're not,” Blaine replies. “You're not here, you haven't been here all night, and you certainly haven't been here all week.”

“I don't know what you're talking about,” Kurt denies.

“So we're lying to each other now?” Blaine asks. Kurt stares at him, his mouth falling open. He wants to lash out at Blaine, wants to tell him that even though he might have been a little distant this week, Blaine's been pulling away for months and really, what does he expect?

He bites his tongue instead.

“I'm sorry,” he apologizes. “I can't stop thinking about something David said on Saturday. It’s kind of been bothering me all week.” One glance at Blaine reveals that his words have effectively killed the mood. Blaine rolls off him and onto his back on Kurt's bed. “Blaine?”

“You're thinking about Karofsky right now?” Blaine practically snaps out the question. Kurt feels his face flush as he realizes how Blaine could take what he'd just said.

“No,” Kurt denies, “No, not like that.” He sighs. “Something Karofsky said on Saturday just stuck with me and I can't stop thinking that we should do something to help him.” Blaine seems to be listening so Kurt continues. “He said he can't go into his closet anymore.”

“I remember.” Blaine's voice is tight.

“I was thinking that we should maybe... help him remodel it. Tomorrow. We could get everyone, go get some supplies and -”

“Why are you doing this, Kurt?” Blaine questions, his eyes bright as they look at him. “You’re a good person, and yes, compassionate. Sometimes I think you take it too far.”

“I don't... I want to help him, Blaine,” Kurt answers.

“That's the guilt talking.”

“So what if it is?” Kurt sits up stiffly.

“I don't understand why. This guy bullied you, kissed you against your will and then threatened to kill you if you told anyone and now you want to redo his closet?” Blaine’s finally letting out some of that emotion he’s been pushing away and Kurt doesn’t know what to do.

“What is really going on here, Blaine? You know I forgave him a long time ago and you know he needs help,” Kurt finally snaps. “What do you want from me?”

Something inside Blaine seems to... break. It's like he collapses on himself and all Kurt can do is watch.

“You,” Blaine manages to get out. “I want you.”

“I'm here,” Kurt says, scrambling to hold him. “I'm right here.” Blaine shakes his head. “Of course I am.”

“There's been all this stuff,” Blaine tells him and Kurt kind of holds his breath, because this is it. Blaine's going to tell him what's wrong. He knows by 'stuff' that Blaine means school and New Directions, Sebastian and the Warblers, and his eye and Karofsky. “It's been a rough year so far.”

“I know,” Kurt murmurs. He feels guilty about that too, because he's the reason Blaine transferred.

“It was supposed to be magical, Kurt. Instead it’s been fighting and surviving and… I keep thinking... I've got you here, now. But what about next year?” Blaine's actually crying now, and Kurt feels his throat tighten. “What am I going to do when you're not here? I'm not ready for you to not be here.”

And there it is; the thing Blaine's been hiding.

Kurt can’t think of anything to say. He can't promise to stay and Blaine wouldn't let him even if he did. So he does the only thing he can think of. He promises that he'll always be there when Blaine needs him, that he'll always love him, that Blaine is everything.

He holds Blaine tight and hums a mindless melody in his ear. Blaine's hands tangle in Kurt's shirt he's clinging so tightly. Kurt's the one who starts pressing gentle kisses along Blaine's cheek and jaw, wanting to soothe. He accidentally scrapes his teeth along the skin of Blaine’s jaw on the next kiss. Blaine groans, low and needy right in Kurt’s ear.

Kurt can't help but kiss him fully then, and that’s it - he's lost in Blaine. Every kiss, every touch, and every caress is a vow that he'll always be what Blaine needs, even if he can't be there. He slides inside Blaine, so deep he can feel Blaine's heart beating around him. He knows he'll never be closer to Blaine than this moment, laid open and bare. Blaine's shaking and crying and then throwing his head back as he falls apart in Kurt's arms.

They snuggle together afterward; pressing so tightly together that Kurt can’t tell where he ends and Blaine begins. He strokes Blaine’s hair and they whisper to each other, declarations of love, promises for the future.

As Blaine dozes off in his arms, Kurt brushes a soft kiss on Blaine’s forehead and whispers in his ear, “I’ll never say good-bye to you.”

The Sixth Saturday

Morning comes early.

Blaine’s the first one awake, which is a realization Kurt comes to when Blaine brings him breakfast in bed. The benefit of having a father in Congress and a stepbrother with a girlfriend is that no one else is home, so he and Blaine have free run of the place. Which is a good thing, Kurt considers, as he watches Blaine come back into the room with a breakfast tray and wearing nothing but his boxer shorts.

“Good morning,” Blaine murmurs, setting the tray down on Kurt’s lap and crawling into bed beside him.

“Morning,” Kurt replies, leaning over and kissing him lightly. “This looks amazing.” Blaine shrugs, picking up a piece of chopped banana and putting it in his mouth.

“I wanted to do something nice for you… after last night,” he admits quietly.

“You don’t owe me anything,” Kurt murmurs, taking a small bite of the granola cereal Blaine had poured into a bowl. “I’m just glad you’re finally talking to me.”

“I’m sorry,” Blaine whispers. “I never meant to push you away, I just… I don’t want you to feel bad for leaving.”

“Well, first, we don’t know that I’ll get in,” Kurt reminds him, and Blaine shakes his head. “Stop that,” Kurt says. “We don’t, I haven’t even had my final audition yet.”

“You should still go to New York,” Blaine tells him. “There are other schools.”

“Which I can apply to and go to next year when you’re with me.” Kurt is firm on this. It’s NYADA or bust.

Blaine shakes his head again. “I thought about what you said last night, about Dave.”

“I know you don’t get it, Blaine, but I…” he trails off when he sees Blaine’s face.

“I was upset,” Blaine replies. “I said some things I shouldn’t have.”

“It’s okay if you don’t like him.”

“It’s not that. I just don’t know if I’ll ever be able to trust him.”

“That’s how I feel about Sebastian,” Kurt agrees, and Blaine gives him a small smile.

“I know.” He pauses. “So I decided that your closet idea is a good one. I called the others and they agreed. Then I called Dave’s dad and told him what we wanted to do, so he took some measurements for us. I spoke to Dave as well and told him that we were pushing back the meeting time and we’d be by.”

“Wow.” Kurt stares at him. “I love you.”

“I love you, too,” Blaine replies, leaning forward for another kiss.

*

Needless to say, Dave’s surprise is evident when the five of them pull up in Kurt’s Navigator, which is laden down with supplies and paint.

“What’s going on?” Dave asks as Kurt and the others start unloading the supplies and carrying them into the house.

“It’s a project,” Kurt answers. “We’re going to remodel your closet.” Dave stares at him for a long time. “Unless you don’t want to.”

“Do you really think that will help?” he wants to know. Kurt shrugs. “It can’t hurt. Your dad called your therapist this morning and she didn’t see the harm.”

Dave’s eyes find his father, who is standing in the doorway of the room. “Why don’t you show them to your room, David?” Paul Karofsky suggests and Dave takes in a deep breath before nodding.

Dave pauses at the door to his room. The door is shut.

“I haven’t been in here since…” he lets his voice go soft.

“Take your time,” Blaine speaks up, leaning against the wall next to the door. “It’s always best to take it at your own pace.”

“How would you know?” Dave glances at Blaine.

“Did Kurt ever tell you about my Sadie Hawkins dance, freshman year?” Dave shakes his head. Kurt stares at Blaine, trying to figure out where he’s going with this. Also, this is a big, big thing for Blaine to share. It’s a year into their relationship and even Kurt only knows sketchy details. “I went with a boy, the only other gay kid in the school,” Blaine continues. “We had a good time, just drank some punch and hung out. We didn’t even dance.

“Afterwards, three guys attacked us.” All eyes are on Blaine now. Kurt wonders what’s going through their minds. “Put me and my date in the hospital, just because we dared to go to the dance together. I was only thirteen.”

“Jesus,” Dave utters, clearly shocked.

“I avoided people for a while,” Blaine admits. “I couldn’t go out, especially in crowds. I couldn’t go to school. I was very, very angry.” He locks eyes with Kurt, who gives him a reassuring smile. “I worked at it, a little at a time. I was able to go out again. I was able to go back to school again – to Dalton, though I had to repeat a grade. And I was able to go to a dance and dance with a boy.” Kurt grins then. He can’t help it, because as shitty as last year’s prom had been, dancing with Blaine in front of the whole school was something he’d never forget. “Maybe today all we do is open the door to your room. Maybe we don’t even go inside.” Blaine shrugs. “Eventually, though, you’ll be ready.”

“I think I’m ready now,” Dave says. Kurt holds his breath as Dave reaches out and put his hand on the doorknob, gives it a turn, and pushes the door open.

He’s the first one inside, stopping just in the doorway.

“Look at you, Obi Wan,” Santana tells Blaine quietly. “Guess you’re not as boring as I thought.”

“Thanks, Santana.”

“I don’t get it,” Brittany replies as Santana takes her hand and tugs her into the room after Dave. “I thought his name was Blaine.”

“That night, in the parking garage,” Sebastian begins. Kurt lifts an eyebrow, wondering where this is going. “I’m sorry if I accidentally triggered something, I never meant…”

“We know,” Blaine agrees. “This is a new beginning for all of us. It’s all water under the bridge.”

They head into the room, where the other three are still standing there, staring at the closet. Now they’re all staring at it.

Kurt’s the first to look away and give Dave’s room a once over. “I must say, this is not what I expected your room to look like.”

The model airplanes hanging from the ceiling remind him of Blaine’s love for model cars. The color scheme is a little dark, but it’s nicely done.

“What were you expecting?” Dave asks.

“I don’t know; something a little more Jock Chic?” Kurt answers. “So… are we opening the closet today?”

“Yeah,” Dave says, reaching for the door handle and pulling it open in one motion.

It looks like an ordinary closet. Kurt can’t even begin to imagine what Dave when through in there. Kurt steps inside, feeling everyone’s eyes on him. “Well,” he looks up, staring at the clothing rod. “This is the first thing to go.”

Kurt goes for the supplies, breaking out a hammer. He hands it to Dave. “The honor is yours.”

They all watch as Dave dons a pair of safety goggles, takes the hammer and pretty much demolishes the clothing rod.

“Feeling better yet?” Blaine asks Dave, once he was done.

“Surprisingly,” Dave tells him.

“With me, it’s boxing.” Blaine nods. “I just… take it all out on a punching bag.”

It’s not long before they’re moving in and out of the closet, dismantling the shelves that had been in there. Kurt’s not sure, but he thinks it’s Santana who starts the paint war. Kurt would be more pissed about his clothes (even if they were from last season and are the frumpiest thing he owns), except it’s hard to be mad when everyone around him is giggling like crazy for the first time in who knows how long. Blaine even kisses him in front of everyone, because he looks “so darn cute” covered in paint.

New shelves go in the closet, as well as hooks for Dave to hang his clothes from, and even though it’s been hours, Kurt can hardly believe it when they’re finished.

Somehow they all end up sprawled on Dave’s drop cloth covered bed, exhausted. The drop cloths had been a stroke of genius in Kurt’s opinion, given the severity of the paint war – he’s pretty sure he’s going to find paint in places paint should never be when he goes home to shower.

“I thought orgies were supposed to be sexier,” Brittany says, breaking the silence.

“This isn’t an orgy, Britt,” Santana tells her gently.

“But we’re all on the bed together,” Brittany points out. Santana just kisses her.

“I’m not sharing you with anyone else ever again,” Santana says quietly.

“Oh,” Brittany replies. “Good.”

Kurt can’t help but smile at them, and Santana sees it. “Oh, stop looking at me like that, Hummel. You and Blainers are just as bad.”

“We are not,” Kurt replies.

“If you two could only see how you look at each other,” Santana continues. “You’d know why the rest of us look like we want to vomit when you’re around.”

“Gee, thanks,” Kurt mutters.

“My dad went down to Dalton to check it out yesterday,” Dave interrupts. “I think he liked it.”

“It’s nice,” Kurt tells him. “Wearing the uniform everyday was awful though.”

“Awww, you said you loved the blazer,” Blaine teased. Kurt shoots him a playful glare.

“Yeah, on you,” he replies.

“I bet you like it even more off him,” Brittany adds. Kurt's can feel his face turning about thirty different shades of red, none of them flattering.

“Brittany,” Kurt mutters. “Oh, my God.”

“What? I just meant because Blaine transferred to our school so he doesn't wear it anymore.”

“It’s a shame you’re graduating,” Sebastian changes the subject, looking at Dave. “Or I’d recruit you for the Warblers next year – if your dad does send you to Dalton.” Dave looks at him in surprise.

“You thought I was good?” he asks.

“You weren’t terrible. With a little practice, you could be decent.”

“Wow,” Dave murmurs.

“Though we won’t need much luck to beat New Directions next year – you guys are losing most of your members.”

“Yep,” Blaine sighs. “There might be six of us left.”

“Suddenly, I’m having flashbacks to three years ago,” Kurt jokes, “When it was just Rachel, Finn, Mercedes, Tina, Artie and me.” He snorts. “Three years later and the school still hates us. At least they’ve toned down on the slushies.” Blaine, Dave and Sebastian all wince. “I’ve gone almost seven months without one. Longest I’ve gone since I started high school.”

“Really?” Dave asks.

“People tend to leave me and Blaine alone, for the most part,” Kurt gives him a smile. “McKinley’s better than it used to be, as shocking as that is.”

“Maybe I’ll talk to my dad about coming back.” Dave looks thoughtful.

Kurt groans when Blaine mentions that he has to head home soon. It’s not long before they’re all heading downstairs, leaving Dave with a brand new closet. They’re laughing and joking, talking over each other.

“Next Saturday?” Kurt asks before they leave. Everyone agrees.

As they pile in the car, Kurt smiles. He’s feeling something he hasn’t felt since before Dave’s suicide attempt.

Hope.

Hope for future, hope for him and Blaine, hope for the friendship their little group seems to have formed. Things would work out the way they worked out, but the six of them would be there for each other, no matter what.