Of course Kurt had contemplated suicide. Of course.

Going through his Junior year was hell, all seven circles of it, and the irony was not lost on him that the boy who made it so was sitting right in front of him covered in a tacky hospital gown.

But as David eyes, filled with tears, shut against the cruel world that he was only just discovering, Kurt couldn't believe that David had actually followed through. Suicidal thoughts were one thing, but Kurt could never actually try to kill himself.

"My mom telling me I have a disease," David choked out. "Telling me that maybe I can be cured."

And that's why, wasn't it? Kurt had so much support around him. His dad, who was willing to run for Congress just so he could pursue a career in the arts; his friends, who were glad when he came out because he would finally stop dressing like a trucker; Blaine, with whom he was always discovering new things about himself.

All David needed was a support system and it started with Kurt. Kurt grasped the hand of his new friend. "There are some other people here to see you," he said, remembering the God Squad standing in the hall.

David looked surprised and Kurt squeezed his hand. "There are people who care about you, David." A tiny smile appeared on his face and Kurt remembered his vision of the future. I'm so happy right now.

Kurt stood, brushing his hands on his pants. "I'll come see you tomorrow, after school. I'll bring some brochures for Dalton Academy, where I went after..." After you ran me out of high school. After you threatened my life. After you assaulted me. David nodded quickly, letting Kurt's sentence fade.

"And maybe," Kurt began before eyeing David warily.

"What?"

"And maybe I can bring Blaine? It might do you well to hear his story, if he's comfortable sharing it."

David's eyes closed. "I'd like that," he said. "I should apologize."

Kurt rested his hand on David's leg. "You're already forgiven."

***

After Glee practice, Kurt stopped Blaine from leaving the room with a gentle hand on his wrist. He waited until the rest of the New Directions had filed out before beginning. "I know you want to focus on Regionals right now but would you come to David's house with me? I just want..." He trailed off.

Blaine smiled softly and gripped Kurt's hand in his own. "Of course. I want to see him. I'm so glad he's okay."

Kurt visibly deflated with relief. "Good, because being there..." His mouth opened and closed as he tried to put what he was feeling into coherent sentences. 

Blaine's arms came around him in a show of silent support and Kurt felt himself reflexively lean into the touch. He rested his head on Blaine's shoulder, turning to speak directly into his ear.

"Being there is really hard. On one hand, he was my tormentor for years and I have scars from him and I remember everything that happened and I feel like I shouldn't care. But then, I feel responsible for what he's done. I can't help but feel like I could have done more to make him feel comfortable with his sexuality or if I picked up the damn phone one time. Just one time."

The fabric beneath him grew wet with his tears and Blaine's arms gripped him tighter. "Kurt, none of this was your fault, okay?" Blaine's voice was deep and soothing and his hand on Kurt's back rubbed between his shoulder blades, and Kurt felt himself becoming less hysterical.

"What David did was terrible, but you can never think it's your fault. You're not the one who graffitied his locker. You didn't out him. And you sure as hell didn't slip the noose over his neck."

Kurt inhaled sharply at the blunt words and Blaine murmured an apology before continuing. "All you can do now is be thankful that his dad found him in time and help him through this, okay? How do you think David would feel if he knew you felt responsible?"

"Terrible," Kurt whispered.

"So do I." Blaine pulled back, wiping Kurt's cheeks with his sleeve. "Come on, let's go. I'll drive, okay?"

Kurt nodded and let Blaine lead him out of the room, threading their fingers together.

***

Kurt gently knocked on the door of David's room. After hearing David call out permission to enter, he pushed the door open.

"Hey David," he smiled.

David returned his smile. "Hi Kurt, Blaine."

"How're you feeling?" Blaine asked, grabbing David's desk chair and pulling it up beside the bed where David was laying.

"I'm okay," he responded, gesturing for Kurt to sit at the foot of the bed. "Look Blaine, I'm so sorry for everything. For pushing you, and provoking you-"

Blaine cut David off with raised hand. "I've had worse, believe me. You have nothing to apologize for."

David turned a curious gaze on the younger boy and Blaine sighed. "I came out my freshmen year. My dad... Well, suffice to say, he was not impressed. He never embraced my sexuality and still tries to set me up with his partners' daughters. Even though I'm obviously in a loving and committed relationship," he paused, grinning at Kurt, who smiled back, reaching to cover Blaine's knee with his hand, "he doesn't really see it as valid.

"Anyway, when I was fifteen, there was a Sadie Hawkins at the public school I went to and I asked a friend of mine, who was also out, to come with me and... Well, David, they literally almost beat the life out of me."

David winced, covering his hands with the blanket draped across his thighs.

"Three days later, I woke up in the hospital with three broken ribs, a fractured ankle, both wrists sprained and a dislocated shoulder. There was also a little bit of internal bleeding. I was on drugs and in plaster for so long that ended up repeating my freshmen year."

Kurt shifted closer to Blaine, pushing their hands together. Blaine held fast, drawing strength. His eyes did not meet Kurt's, instead focusing on the model airplanes above the bed.

"I was in a dark place. My only friend, that boy, was forbidden from seeing me. The boys who assaulted me were let off and I was having a hard time at Dalton. I was still on painkillers and I almost... Intentionally overdosed."

Blaine was silent for a moment,  allowing David to process. "Why didn't you?" he finally asked.

"My mom was a big part of it. I wanted to do it at home, but when I got there that weekend, my mom had baked cookies and everything, she was so excited to see me, I just... I didn't want to hurt her. And I realized I had a lot to live for. I joined the Warblers, made friends, picked up my grades and well, the rest, as they say is history."

He brought Kurt's hand to his lips. "I'm glad I didn't do it."

"Me too," Kurt replied and David nodded.

Kurt dug through his bag, pulling out packets and pamphlets. "This," he said, presenting it to David, "is information on Dalton. It's not an option for everyone but the zero-tolerance harassment policy is especially nice. It won't hurt to skim through these."

David took them with a grateful smile and Kurt paused. "You smile a lot more now," he remarked.

David didn't look surprised. "I have more to smile about now."